These are my 'top tips' and learnings from running business architectures across enterprise and medium sized businesses. Running any business architecture takes perseverance, discipline and dedication with the rewards being transformations that are seamless, delight the end user and deliver business results.
Be persistent - don't be afraid to keep asking why even when you get the response because Legal or HR said so, find out really who said what and why.
Think holistically - remember an architecture is made up of more than just process, capabilities and information - culture awareness is key to landing any transformation.
Put people first - consider the needs of people before diving into process and technology solutions. Remember 'Wieners Law' suggesting that introducing a technological solution can lead to new, unforeseen problems, often requiring further solutions that you'll need people to design.
Communicate clearly -Â leadership support and team buy in doesn't just happen because you've walked through a process review. Keeping things simple in communications goes a long way to getting people on board and understanding the difference they are going to make.
Join the dots - constantly connecting to the mission and vision takes some skill when you're 5 levels down in the organization but I have seen it done - with large teams in particular you need to do this regularly to maintain momentum.
Stay focused - your architecture is there to serve a purpose - it's not an academic exercise to produce a complex capability map or process flow remember to share and celebrate business results. Are you saving time or generating income?
Beware: there is always the risk that you end up running a business architecture for the sake of it and it's value diminishes. Support the leading initiatives and transformations that are going to make a difference. No business is immune from the need to change. Whether it's improving internal operations or launching a new product or service, transformations need proper planning and diligent execution. Be prepared to drive or support the change.
Business Architects need to work hard to be part of the conversation and deliver value to the transformation journey. There are many opportunities to steer a project or product launch to success through the techniques and principles that business architecture offers.
Get in touch with TZR Consulting to assess or build a business architecture and accelerate your business performance.
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