Question

What are the advantages of the different forms of software architecture? Select two and discuss how they may be used providing specific real-world examples.

Answer 1

1) Information technology architecture:

There are a number of advantages of information technology architecture to resolve real-world problems. but these will not be the same for all organizations. In one organization one of the potential benefits may be extremely valuable while other potential benefits may have little relevance; in another organization, the situation may well be reversed. Having a clear focus on the benefits your organization hopes to realize can help you to plan how to expend scarce resources on your architectural efforts. That said, organizations often fail to anticipate potential benefits until they are actually well into the effort. Some work that may seem preliminary work of limited value to some - say mapping IT resources against programs being supported - may turn out to have great value down the road. So it isn’t usually wise to plan to skip whole areas of architecture just because you don’t immediately see the payoffs.

The eight benefits listed below are not intended to be inclusive and could be described in different ways, but they may be of help in understanding the goals of an IT Architecture. The order of listing is random.

1. Development and Implementation of a Vision.
An architecture can be an effective tool for reviewing the overall current state of IT and to develop a vision of where the organization needs to or wants to go with IT in the future. By getting agreement on this, the organization can get people working in the same direction, make wider use of pilot project experiences, and ensure that procurements conform to this vision.

2. Development and Implementation of Principles.
Architecture is a tool to allow the organization to identify and distribute certain principles that should guide IT behavior in the organization. Without architecture, it is often difficult for the organization to come to an agreement on basic principles and to make people aware of them. Without principles, people may develop systems and make procurements than go against the organization’s objectives. There can be high-level agency-wide principles and more specific principles for particular areas of the architecture (e.g. certain software design tools to be used for a business area).

3. Identify Areas for Potential Cost Savings.
An architecture helps an organization to analyze its current IT and identify areas where changes could lead to cost savings. For instance, the architecture may show that multiple database systems could be changed so only one product is used, reducing software and support costs. It may find that support costs could be reduced by standardizing on a limited number of desktop systems, reducing complexity. Analysis of the baseline architecture may show that other standards may be beneficial (on the other hand a good analysis can show when standards would not be beneficial and should be delayed or avoided). A key guide may be to look for ways to optimize internal and contract staff instead of technology per se - people cost more than most technology.

4. Enable Quicker Changes in IT Systems.
There is increased demand for systems to change quickly to meet rapidly evolving business needs, legislative requirements, etc. Planning for changes can be aided by having a clear picture of the affected system’s relationship to programs being supported, other areas of technology, and so on. For instance, you need to know how a system change will affect all users, and by having all this clearly identified in the architecture there is less chance of overlooking potential impact on smaller users. Models of the IT systems can help ensure that things like impact on network loads are properly considered when planning changes. Architecture can help to layout complex situations in a clear and accessible manner, making planning easier and less prone to errors.

5. Help to Ensure Business Programs Drive IT Plans.
In some organizations, an IT shop may run pretty much on its own with business processes being users of the system without a great deal of input to planned changes to the system. Some nightmare situations have resulted from cases like this. A proper architecture can help layout the business processes as the primary drivers and refocus thinking along business lines.

6. Ensure That Things That Need to Work Together Do.
Everyone is aware of problems that occurred in the Armed Forces when different services could not communicate with each other in battle conditions because their technologies were incompatible. The problem isn’t one restricted to the military. Too often IT planning may be done at too local a level, not taking larger organizational needs into account. Architecture is an effective analytical tool for examining what systems need to communicate, exchange data, etc., and planning any changes necessary to ensure these needs are met.

7. Business Process Re-engineering.
It is a truism that if someone has just automated a paper process then they have not taken full advantage of the potential of IT. Really dramatic changes result from using IT to do work differently, and consideration of IT needs to be part of any analysis of business processes. An architecture can again be an effective tool to help get an overview of data and workflow and how IT might enable new and more efficient ways of doing business.

8. Explaining IT System Needs and Benefits to Management and Budget Personnel.
Architecture can help to clearly show the connection between IT systems and requirements and the organization’s business processes and needs. This can help in obtaining support for the resources needed.

2) Business Architecture

1. A Strategic Overview

Nowadays, it has become much more—a bridge between the business and IT. First off, it provides you with a holistic overview of your IT parameter and a technological roadmap. It’s a strategic lens for observing the entirety of your infrastructure.

You gain crucial insights and a comprehensive picture, one that minimizes miscommunication.

Think of it as a conceptual blueprint, an integrated treasury of information. One employs it to set the stage for the delivery of concrete products, documents, and other structural elements. Moreover, it can help you discover all the dependencies and points of synergy between them.

2. Reducing Complexity
EA is a tried and tested way of streamlining the core working of an organization.

This is a real game-changer, considering most businesses operate as a mesh of systems and components. Shying away from facing this complexity isn’t an option.

EA encourages you to adopt a proactive, outcome-focused approach. Through a selection of the right principles, tools, and standards, it facilitates the calibration and automation of processes.

The result should be nothing short of an enterprise-wide transformation endeavor. You aline tech needs with business wants, enabling strategic changes and pivots (such as acquisitions and mergers).

Data-driven businesses that heavily rely on technology stand to benefit the most here.

3. Trimming Costs
This kind of organizational overhaul has further positive implications.

It leads to more efficient resource allocation and lets you score significant savings. This is due to EA decreasing and consolidating management, maintenance, and operational costs. At the same time, impact analysis eliminates redundancies and duplication (unnecessary rework).

You’re able to boost stability and overall product quality while leveraging shared capabilities. Along similar lines, many organisations have achieved faster time to market with EA.

All of this amounts to elevated ROI and overall profitability. You can maintain a sustainable pace of growth and manage integration projects fuss-free. So do yourself a favour and embrace the concept sooner rather than later.

4. Standardisation and Flexibility
EA fosters a higher level of IT standardisation.

It empowers decision-makers to flesh out sound business and operational models. Most of them mark the transition away from silo-based systems.

Furthermore, when done right, EA makes sure all employees are on the same page. It’s easier to manage multiple business units, as well as networks. You can, amongst other things, offer better software support and guidance than ever before.

Finally, EA is also an opportunity to maintain optimal productivity and operability. It integrates services and applications without friction and increases their portability.

So harness the power of EA to strengthen the organisation from within. Capitalise on newfound opportunities to create, buy, or outsource your IT solutions.

5. Security Gains
EA is the blueprint for addressing grave cybersecurity concerns of today.

As a key tool in the arsenal, it works wonders for data protection and security processes in general. Updates and patches are the most common tools used across industry sectors.

All in all, you gain a real fighting chance against the plight of threats that lurk all around. Data breaches and thefts are just the tips of the iceberg. There’s no shortage of other ever-more-sophisticated dangers.

We should also mention risks that stem from internal IT missteps. We’re talking about things such as shadow IT and redundant applications. EA adds value in this area is well.

It holds the key to protecting, grouping, and making better use of your assets. As an added bonus, you maintain consumer trust by taking good care of their data.

6. Change Analysis and Adaptability
EA is conducive to tech innovation, transformation, and smooth stack implementation.

Higher agility means you respond to sudden shifts in the industry and the market. Your bolster your ability to properly assess the impact of change and make educated adjustments. It might also make sense to go the extra mile and revamp your business model and strategies.

At the very least, do away with outdated practises that cause more harm than good. You’re likely to decrease project, investment, and business risks that way. The list of benefits goes on and includes regulatory and legal changes that disrupt the status quo.

GDPR is a prime example of how compliance affects financial performance and brand perception. So stay abreast of the latest developments and ahead of the curve.

Enterprise Architecture: Time to Step Up
A business organisation is a composite of a host of different moving parts.

Juggling them can be a daunting task, unless you have the right approach. The good news is you can use enterprise architecture as the glue that holds your company together.

No, it’s not a silver bullet, but the benefits we covered speak volumes about its utility. Adoption is a chance to bring order and structure to your business.