What is Strategic Architecture?
What is Strategic Architecture and Why is it Important?
Strategic Architecture could be the most important practice for your organisation. But why is Strategic Architecture not talked about much in the business community when it can be of such strategic value.
The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) defines Strategic Architecture as a 'long-term summary view of the entire enterprise' and a 'framework for organising operational and change activity.' With this definition you can see how Strategic Architecture can be of tremendous value to an organisation. But let's take this a step further.
Strategic Architects use a Strategic Architecture approach to deliver digital strategy and enterprise architecture that will direct and guide the development of target state strategic outcomes.
Strategic Architects has designed a template to develop Digital strategies with senior Digital and Business leaders. Based on this implementation model, Strategic Architects define Strategic Architecture as a high-level enterprise architecture view of a Strategic Opportunity that aligns with the organisation's business vision and can be understood by senior Digital and Business leaders. Strategic Architects see that Digital Transformation is the key Strategic Opportunity available for organisations of any size today.
In a traditional view of Enterprise Architecture there is business architecture, information and data architecture, application architecture and technology architecture domains. More contemporary models include Integration architecture, and Security architecture and Risk Management domains across these traditional domains. In the early days of Enterprise Architecture, during the 1990s and 2000s, the practice came from an application and technology focus seeking to remove the silos and guide organisations into working together to ensure collaboration and best utilise money spent on Information Technology. This is still important, but Enterprise Architecture is now being seen as a business enabler.
Strategic Architects understand this and are principally concerned with showing how Digital and ICT can be an enabler to achieve business strategy goals and achieve outcomes required. Strategic Architecture represents the target architecture across all domains and provides the guidance needed so that all architectural efforts are focused to achieve organisational objectives and positive business outcomes.
Strategic Architecture sits above these Enterprise Architecture domains and provides a link to ensure strategy, architecture and program delivery are all in sync and operating according to the strategic goals of the organisation.
Strategic Architecture is the secret sauce, the ingredient that every organisation needs to ensure everyone in the organisation is focused on business outcomes. Strategic Architecture is a building block for Digital Business Transformation. It involves planning, designing, and implementing solutions that not only meet current needs, but also sets the stage for future growth and innovation.
With digital business transformation, Strategic Architecture is essential for ensuring alignment to strategic objectives in a rapidly changing landscape. By leveraging the right technologies and processes, organisations can streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and unlock new revenue streams. In short, Strategic Architecture is the foundation upon which successful digital businesses are built as it is the glue that links business strategy with transformation projects.