1) The document discusses challenges that can arise when enterprise architecture (EA) is practiced in a matrixed organization across business, information, and technology domains. It provides five "rules of life" to help address these challenges.
2) The rules are to take a stance on what EA means, focus on the 20% that matters most using Pareto's principle, simplify processes and documentation, apply the golden rule of treating others as you wish to be treated, and be pragmatic in balancing governance and execution.
3) Following these rules can help matrixed EA teams achieve alignment, respect, maturity of the practice, and the ability to execute holistically.
Michael Gonzalez - Do The Sum of The Parts Equal the Whole
1. Do the Sum of the Parts
Equal the Whole?
Michael H. Gonzalez
Dir. Business Architecture
Whataburger, LLC
December 6, 2012
iasa world summit 2012
2. Disclaimer
Any views or opinions expressed in this presentation
are those of the presenter and do not necessarily
represent the views and opinions of Whataburger,
LLC., its ownership, management or its employees.
2
4. A Little Bit of “Context”
• Enterprise Architecture
lives in /owned by I.T.?
• Have all three -
“Business, Information,
and Technology”
architecture?
• Functional, integrated,
aligned and producing
expected outcomes?
4
5. For Context…My
Background
• IT and Process Engineering
• EA through “partnership”
• Business Architecture Practice
• EA Process Owner
• Assessed EA as a Consultant
5
6. What was consistent?
• Smart People, Same Intent
• Similar References
• Similar Techniques
• Various Results
6
… Why?
7. 7
A lot of valid answers….
Approach
SupportOrganization
Approach
SupportOrganization
8. In my experience…..
• Frameworks are guideposts
• Focus on fundamentals
• Governance is key
• “Delivery Matters”
• Cultural alignment
8
Oh ya, CEO support doesn’t hurt!
9. For Starters… Define EA
Rule of Life #1: Take a stance
EA = EBA + EIA + ETA
Make it holistic, then move on!
9
10. But….
If your practice is matrixed, how do
you
• apply a holistic approach,
• develop aligned deliverables, or
• achieve synergy to grow the
practice?
10
11. “As our circle of knowledge
expands, so does the
circumference of darkness
surrounding it”
- Albert Einstein
11
12. People
Does a Meta Model help?
So, where do you end your mapping
before you’re “in the dark”? 12
13. Focus on what matters…
Rule of Life #2: Pareto’s Principle
13
80% of the business
can be mapped by
relating the 20%
that matters….
Remember, Delivery Matters!
15. What about the process?
Does your EA process produce results or is
it a source of pain... “failure by 2000 steps”?
15
BusinessInformationTechnology
Output
Output
Output
Review
Board
Review
Board
Review
Board
16. Keep it simple…..
16
Rule of Life #3: Simplify, Simplify,
Simplify
Keys are process ownership,
relevance and timeliness
17. Does organization matter?
Short answer, of course it does,
but what do you do about it?
17
EA Lead
Bus. Info. Tech.
Leader
Bus.
Leader
Info.
Leader
Tech.
Enterprise Architecture
VS.
18. Matrix Teams - Potential
Challenges
• March to different beat
• “Wag-the-Dog”
• Misaligned on delivery
• No clear, one “belly button”
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19. Do unto others…..
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Rule of Life #4: Golden Rule
But you have to lead!
Requires technical and soft skills.
20. In terms of priority…
Focus on the “personal” level first,
and the “professional” level second.
Benefits:
• establishes trust and
• enables feedback – both directions.
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22. Do what makes sense…
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Rule of Life #5: Be Pragmatic
Balance between governance
and execution.
23. But governance also has
to be governed….
Some possible techniques:
• Build incremental success into practice
• Keep the documentation lighthearted,
especially in the beginning
• Avoid explaining why the practice works the
way it does. Instead, look for opportunities
to improve.
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24. Summary
#1 Take a Stance
#2 Pareto’s Principle
#3 Simplify, Simplify, Simplify
#4 Golden Rule
#5 Be Pragmatic
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25. Possible Results
• Alignment on “how” and “what” to do
• Respect for each other’s craft and ability
• Ability to mature “the practice” together
• Above all else, ability to execute practically
and holistically
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