IT Alignment

Enterprise Architecture Management

Enterprise architecture management (EAM) is another crucial function in the IT Alignment Model. EAM refers to creating and managing frameworks, policies, processes of the IT architecture. It also comprises techniques, standards, and patterns to create and sustain the IT architectures. Enterprise architects define “reusables” such as blueprints, references, functional blocks, or generic hardware.

The role of the enterprise architect has a strong strategic orientation and is key for business-IT alignment. Enterprise architects shape long-term IT architectures and draw product roadmaps to meet business strategies. They govern all issues related to IT architectures within an enterprise and advise stakeholders from both the IT and the business side on technology matters.

EAM converts business architectures into IT architecture requirements

IT Architecture requirements depend on the business architecture. EAM aligns IT to business strategy by translating business architectures into IT architecture requirements. Functional IT requirements  are specified to develop new IT services that provide customer value. Non-functional IT requirements must also be defined  in accordance to the business strategy. Some examples are the scalability to prepare future expansions, service availability for business continuity, performance, manageability, security for data protection and accessibility. EAM must also analyze the enterprise architecture limitations such as legacy equipment, product life cycles, provider contracts, platform compatibility, interoperability (protocols, interfaces), and other IT dependencies. The implementation of strategically planned changes is carried out on a tactical level by solution architects governed by EAM.