Most of the time, Business is complaining about IT being a pain-point.
Business feels that IT does not provide business efficiency and that it is a hindrance to its development.
Business being the purpose, choice is made that Business has to drive IT.
Also, as the market environment is going more and more digital, many business are created, based on emerging technologies from external environments.
Therefore, Business and IT are intrinsically related, almost merged.
IT fits Business “perfectly”.
It looks like the best way to go. But is it ?
Updating the Business isn’t possible without impacting IT.
Improving IT isn’t possible without breaking ongoing Business.
Not to mention the Business that is based on external technology which isn’t owned and mastered.
Even though IT allows the creation of new Business opportunities, IT is “only” a technological mean.
Besides, IT has its needs, its structure. IT model has to be different.
“Stable and sustainable Business has to be designed for its own.”
Business design has to be done with a decoupling approach.
Firstly, and mainly, so it can be as relevant as possible, not being corrupted by specific implementation constraints.
Secondly, so it can switch from a technology to another.
From an “Enterprise” perspective …
Of course, the Business is supported by several enablers (like IT). And this has to be described as-well.
Enablers need their own design and obey to their own principles. They are subject to specific governance.
It has to be transparent for the Business. The Business shouldn’t be bothered by it.
It means that we end-up with …
- a description of the business activity
- a description of how business activity uses (/ is supported by) enablers
- a description of the enablers themselves
“Business” is the part of the “Enterprise” which describes its “Purpose”.
This is a design concern addressed by Architecture.
While Business Architecture is taking care of the purpose of the Enterprise (doing business), Enterprise Architecture is taking care of the overall scheme which permits the focus of Business and its enablement.
This is a foundational subject which defines the approach of internal collaboration, coherence and adaptability.
“It is time to let the Business do its job: … business.
This can be done by having a proper Enterprise perspective.”