IT strategy showdown: Enterprise architecture vs. Agile
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- Published: Wednesday, 25 September 2024 16:33
- Written by Phillip Strickler, CPA.CITP
Few, if any, companies can operate successfully today without the right information technology (IT) strategy. And as businesses grow, their IT needs and infrastructures become even more complex and costly.
This push and pull of managing growth while grappling with tech has brought two broad approaches to IT strategy to the forefront: enterprise architecture and Agile. Let’s look at both so you can contemplate where your company stands and whether an adjustment may be warranted.
Following a blueprint
As its name implies, enterprise architecture is a strategic philosophy that focuses on mindfully designing or adapting a companywide framework for choosing, implementing, operating and supporting technology.
Think of an architect drawing up a blueprint for a commercial building — every aspect of that structure will be thought through ahead of time to suit the size, operational needs and mission of the company. So it goes with enterprise architecture, which seeks to ensure every IT decision and move:
Aligns with the goals of the business. Everything done technologically flows from the company’s current goals as established through ongoing strategic planning. So, for example, no new software acquisitions or upgrades can occur without approval from the enterprise architecture unit, which can be a dedicated department or a special committee.
Complies with standardization and organization protocols. Businesses using enterprise architecture construct their IT systems to integrate seamlessly and follow stated rules for access, use, upgrades, cybersecurity and so forth. They also organize their systems to support digital transformation (digitalizing all areas of the business) and adapt relatively quickly to technological changes.
In some cases, complies with an established framework. There are various widely accepted enterprise architecture frameworks for companies that don’t wish to do it all themselves or would like a starting point. These include The Open Group Architecture Framework, the Zachman Framework and ArchiMate.
