Thinking Space

Architecture

  • Is whole greater than the some of its parts?

    From early on in mathematics, we learn the whole is the sum of its parts. Not only in maths but we take the same understanding in other domains of learning, too e.g.in complex problem solving we follow the rule of breaking it into simpler, smaller problems and tackle them separately. Though this technique is useful to tackle when… Continue reading

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  • Important Architecture Tool – Communication Plan

    TOGAF defines the purpose of a comunication plan as “Enterprise architectures contain large volumes of complex and inter-dependent information. Effective communication of targeted information to the right stakeholders at the right time is a critical success factor for enterprise architecture. Development of a Communications Plan for architecture allows for this communication to be carried out within a planned and… Continue reading

  • Efficient or Effective ?

    Peter Drucker defined the terms as Efficient is getting things done right. Effective is getting the right things done. Tom Graves extends the definition of effectiveness to  “Getting the right things done right” Most organizations focus their efforts on efficiency, where as efficiency is only one of the dimensions in overall effectiveness. I like Tom’s extension… Continue reading

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  • Can Enterprise Architecture define the ‘Future State’ of an organization ?

    TOGAF describes the role of Enterprise Architecture is to define the ‘Target State’ aka ‘Future State’ of an organisation. But If I reflect my experience on different facets of architecture work I have hardly seen fixed future state at enterprise level. Everything in the enterprise is changing related to everything else and by the time… Continue reading

  • Are you building a ‘Winchester mystery house’?

    Winchester mystery house is mansion in San Jose which is known for its one of worst architecture work in the history. Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Winchester commenced the work on the mansion in 1884 with no master plan in place. She put an army of more than dozen of of carpenters… Continue reading

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  • Business Architecture – Taking potshots on IT !

    I fully agree with the role of business architecture, in fact I wrote a series of blog posts on business architecture benefits. But some of the business architecture literature takes potshots on IT to prove their point e.g. “98% of business people were forced to change business processes to adjust to the new software.” “The Standish… Continue reading

  • Are you dealing with redundant functionality or enterprise structures?

    Enterprises today especially the large one’s are facing a challenge of building redundant functionalities and structures either due to the silo ways of working or through acquisitions. I recently experienced a similar scenario where this enterprise has created a huge overlapping in an individual business area by acquiring multiple companies providing similar solutions. An  architecture impact… Continue reading

  • Enterprise Architecture & Operating Model

    Before using enterprise architecture for developing your enterprise strategy, you need to understand the operating model of your enterprise. Jean W et. al in their book ‘Enterprise Architecture As Strategy’ defines the key dimensions for an operating model as Standardization – How a business processes will be executed regardless of who executes that. Integration – Linking… Continue reading

  • Is Enterprise Architecture only about IT?

    Enterprise Architecture as function has been closely associated with IT. But businesses are now realising that in order to make a full use of this function it shouldn’t be just limited to IT. In order to understand this further let’s understand what is an enterprise. An enterprise is an entity to achieve an objective be it… Continue reading

  • Self explanatory presentation slides! Really?

    Interesting debate with my colleague during a peer review. His comments were that the slide deck I put for presenting one of the solution analysis isn’t self-explanatory. My point was that it is the very same reason we do presentation for, slides are just a medium to express the context and emotions behind the message.… Continue reading