Business Architecture Function
Business Architecture is often seen as an outgrowth of Enterprise Architecture which traditionally emerged from Information Systems or Information Technology. This was certainly the case for early versions of business architecture in popular EA methods such as TOGAF® Standard.
Inspired has long advocated for a much more fundamental and vital role for business architecture, i.e.
The design of the future business
and the definition and guidance of the changes that will realise it
This is a big job. It includes contextual awareness to understand what is possible, what is desirable, what threats there are and how we can and should respond. It is about understanding the need for change, why we need to change, who will support change and who will inhibit it. It is about understanding the stakeholders and their agendas, the fundamental purpose of the organisation in its social, political, economic and business context, including competition. It needs to take into account customers and their aspirations and requirements. It should satisfy these through innovation and delivery of products and services which are attractive as well as sustainable and affordable. Delivery will require resources including personnel and skills, infrastructure, knowledge, capital, technology and their application through processes to deliver value. We need to find optimum ways of engaging with stakeholders through various delivery channels. We need to understand the data and information required to operate, manage and strategically steer the organisation and how this will be organised. We may need to transform to leverage digital technologies in delivery of products, services and experiences.
The function requires a broad range of skills, from strategy, to architecture, to modelling and analysis, to design and soft skills including critical thinking/analysis, synthesis, facilitation, communication, persuasion and conflict resolution.
Ideally the function should report to a C-Level executive with a business orientation - a Chief Strategy Officer, a Chief Executive, a Chief Operating Officer or a Chief Change Officer. It is not recommended that it report into IT. It will, of course, collaborate tightly with other architecture disciplines which correctly live in IT, including Application, Information, Technology and Security. It will also work closely with the Risk and Compliance function where this exists and with a Project Management Office or similar to oversee the change projects to completion.