Enterprise Architecture As Strategy

Although this book is a tad dated (written in 2006), it is really an excellent resource for managers and non-Enterprise Architects (NOTE: the book states the intended audience is management. I disagree: the lowliest analyst to the senior manager can use this book as a foundation or introduction to EA). The language is very plain and easy to understand. The examples are very straightforward and relevant. Unlike some other EA books that get lost in technical mumbo-jumbo, this books moves at a very fast past. I read all 200+ pages in two sittings. No joke. It draws you in and keeps you interested until the final pages. What I also like about this book is that it peppers business cases throughout and illustrates EAs from real companies such as 7-Eleven, UPS, CEMEX, and Delta Air Lines (instead of using hypothetical companies such as NewCo or BigManufacturingCo, and the like). You will not become an EA expert after reading this book. But you will have a greater awareness and understanding of enterprise architecture and process optimization.

This is a worthwhile book to read for every IT leaders. It should set the right trajectory of changing the IT operational and business model to deliver the maximum business value. This book lacks, however, thorough empirical research and has almost no quantifiable data to backup its suppositions. It also lacks details on "how" to achieve the objectives set by the authors. For example, at Optimized Core level, the authors say that different business units should share data and use standardized processes. But what does "shared" data mean? Does it mean to use the same data warehouse? or just have a master OLTP data that is derived across enterprise? They never get to much detail. This is a book great overview of the Enterprise Architecture with real great insights and suggestions on IT can better deliver value. Just don't expect them to exactly outline how you can do that. Pros: 1)Well thought out book on the big picture strategic thinking of how IT can better deliver better business value. 2)Stays away from explaining technical conceptual frameworks (no SOA, data warehousing etc) that detracts from the big picture message. Cons: 1)No technical details on how to build a better IT. 2)No evidence of any empirical research or quantifiable data to backup the suppositions.

This book should be on the reading list for CXOs of all types unless your business is untouched by technology. This is a must read for both IT & business folks alike. The issues discussed in this book resonate strongly with the daily grind at my company. Add to that the fact that this is based on some thorough research from Harvard lends a lot more credibility to this book & I do not hesitate in recommending it to my non technical peers. It provides a good frame of reference to help you understand the different organizational / IT ecosystems & what sort of characteristics differentiate them. Something to remember before embarking on any enterprise architecture strategy. It then follows with real life case studies / examples of various such scenarios. I really like the fact that this book is written in a very matter of fact way without the hype that is driving the Enterprise Architects of today insane. I did reflect a lot upon everything it talks about & also found the core diagrams that it mentions (I think chapter 2/3) really useful. They have served as great discussion starters with business for Tech/Business alignment. IMO, this book is like a good single grain malt, one that you want to sip very slowly & savor.

Jeanne Ross and her associates Peter Weill and David Robertson started out with a research study back in 1995. Intending to to publish technology infrastructure transformations but instead have put together a great insightful read which describes how to design an enterprise architecture and help drive success in your business. This book described the vision and steps to design a solid transformation and how to mature your IT organization to align with your business goals. With the support of the MIT/Sloan center for information systems research these folks conducted a study covers over 2 dozen brand name firms and over 100 surveys conducted in which they drew body of evidence to build a foundation for execution. It's a recommended read for IT managers, Senior managers, strategists and enterprise architects. If you want your IT organization to work smarter and not harder, read this book and spread the word.

A simpler approach to enterprise architecture at a higher level. Enables a practical top down concept for determining which of four categories a particular enterprise's operations model falls; the enterprise architecture follows from this. Also enables a hierarchical view of different divisions within the enterprise, leading to a fairly comprehensive view of the enterprise architecture of the entire enterprise. A maturity model is also described, quite simple and practically applicable to any enterprise or its units.

I loved this book. I've found it easy to read, pleasant and instructive. You may or may not agree with the Authors' point of view. I also think that there are very few people who play the Enterprise Architect role as described here, but it makes good points on what are strategic choices and what are not. The most interesting point is that Business Strategy changes more frequently that many people realise. I learnt it the hard way!

The best part is that it largely avoids IT speak and uses copious case studies to illustrate the concepts. I am currently using it as one of the guiding handbooks in an introduction of EA in an international company. Great book to get "The Business" on board.

Libro en muy buenas condiciones, prácticamente nuevo. Algunas páginas subrayadas que no estaban indicadas en la descripción del artículo, aunque no afecta a su lectura.

Muito bom