Introduction
The Architecture Development Method (ADM) provides a structured approach to developing enterprise architecture that aligns with organizational strategies, portfolios, and projects. This guide outlines the configured journeys through the ADM for developing architectures that support strategy, portfolio, and project initiatives. Each path involves iterative processes that ensure the architecture remains relevant and effective in achieving organizational goals.
1. ADM Plan for Architecture to Support Strategy
Overview
The journey to develop an Architecture to Support Strategy involves a series of steps that guide practitioners through the ADM. This architecture aims to clarify a Target Architecture roadmap of change over a three to ten-year period, identifying change initiatives and supporting portfolios and programs.
Steps in the Journey
- Understand Context – Evaluate Capabilities
- Assess the current state of the organization, including existing capabilities, resources, and stakeholder needs.
- Example: A healthcare organization may evaluate its current patient management systems and identify gaps in data integration and accessibility.
- Perform Assessment and Analysis
- Conduct a thorough analysis of the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis).
- Example: A retail company may analyze market trends and customer preferences to identify opportunities for digital transformation.
- Define Approach to Target State
- Develop a clear vision of the desired future state, including the architecture’s goals and objectives.
- Example: A financial institution may define a target state that includes enhanced customer experience through personalized services and streamlined operations.
- Finalize Architecture Vision/Target State
- Document the architecture vision and ensure alignment with organizational strategy.
- Example: The architecture vision for a technology firm may focus on adopting cloud solutions to improve scalability and reduce costs.
Key Concepts
- Target Architecture Roadmap: A strategic plan that outlines the initiatives and changes required to achieve the target state over a specified period.
- Governance of Strategy Execution: The architecture serves as a framework for governing the execution of strategy through portfolios and programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
2. ADM Plan for Architecture to Support Portfolio
Overview
The path to developing an Architecture to Support Portfolio involves grouping work packages into themes, balancing opportunities and viability, and ensuring budget alignment. This architecture focuses on a single portfolio and derives its boundaries and purpose from the superior architecture.
Steps in the Journey
- Group Work Packages to Themes
- Organize related work packages into coherent themes that align with strategic objectives.
- Example: In a telecommunications company, work packages related to network expansion, customer service improvement, and technology upgrades may be grouped under a “Customer Experience Enhancement” theme.
- Balance Opportunity and Viability
- Assess the feasibility and potential impact of each work package to ensure a balanced portfolio.
- Example: A manufacturing firm may evaluate the viability of investing in automation technologies against the potential return on investment.
- Run Up to Budget
- Ensure that the proposed portfolio aligns with budget constraints and resource availability.
- Example: A government agency may need to prioritize projects based on available funding while still addressing critical infrastructure needs.
- Drive Confidence of Delivery
- Establish mechanisms to ensure that the portfolio can be delivered successfully, including risk management and stakeholder engagement.
- Example: A non-profit organization may implement regular progress reviews and stakeholder updates to maintain confidence in project delivery.
Key Concepts
- Single Portfolio Architecture: The architecture focuses on a specific portfolio, identifying projects that comprise it and establishing terms of reference for each project.
- Governance of Project Execution: The architecture provides a framework for governing the execution of projects within the portfolio, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
3. ADM Plan for Architecture to Support Project
Overview
The journey to develop an Architecture to Support Project involves ascertaining dependencies, balancing options and suppliers, finalizing scope and budget, and preparing for solution delivery governance. This architecture focuses on a single project and derives its boundaries and purpose from the superior architecture.
Steps in the Journey
- Ascertain Dependencies
- Identify dependencies between various components of the project to ensure a coherent approach to implementation.
- Example: In a software development project, dependencies between different modules must be identified to avoid integration issues later.
- Balance Options and Suppliers
- Evaluate different options for project execution, including potential suppliers and technologies.
- Example: A construction project may assess various contractors and materials to determine the best fit for the project requirements.
- Finalize Scope and Budget
- Clearly define the project scope and establish a budget that aligns with organizational resources.
- Example: A marketing campaign project may outline specific deliverables, timelines, and budget constraints to ensure clarity and accountability.
- Prepare for Solution Delivery Governance
- Establish governance structures to oversee the delivery of the project and ensure compliance with architectural standards.
- Example: A healthcare IT project may implement a governance board to review progress and ensure adherence to regulatorystandards and best practices.
Key Concepts
- Project-Specific Architecture: The architecture focuses on a single project, identifying discrete gaps and work packages that deliver measurable value on the architecture roadmap.
- Architecture Contract: This document outlines the expectations, deliverables, and compliance measures for the project, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned on objectives and outcomes.
- Value Realization: The architecture ensures that the implementation project delivers tangible benefits and aligns with the overall strategic goals of the organization.
Practical Examples of ADM Plans
Example 1: Architecture to Support Strategy in a Healthcare Organization
Context: A healthcare organization aims to improve patient care through digital transformation.
- Understand Context: Evaluate existing patient management systems and identify gaps in data sharing.
- Perform Assessment: Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify strengths (e.g., skilled staff) and weaknesses (e.g., outdated technology).
- Define Approach: Develop a vision for a fully integrated electronic health record (EHR) system that enhances patient care.
- Finalize Vision: Document the architecture vision, emphasizing interoperability and patient engagement.
Outcome: A Target Architecture roadmap that outlines initiatives such as EHR implementation, telemedicine services, and patient portals over the next five years.
Example 2: Architecture to Support Portfolio in a Telecommunications Company
Context: A telecommunications company seeks to enhance customer experience through a portfolio of projects.
- Group Work Packages: Organize projects related to network upgrades, customer service training, and new service offerings under a “Customer Experience” theme.
- Balance Opportunity: Assess the potential impact of each project on customer satisfaction and retention.
- Run Up to Budget: Align the proposed projects with the annual budget, prioritizing those with the highest expected return on investment.
- Drive Confidence: Implement regular stakeholder meetings to review progress and address concerns.
Outcome: A portfolio architecture that governs the execution of projects, ensuring they collectively enhance customer experience and align with strategic goals.
Example 3: Architecture to Support Project in a Financial Services Firm
Context: A financial services firm is launching a new mobile banking application.
- Ascertain Dependencies: Identify dependencies between the app’s features, such as user authentication and transaction processing.
- Balance Options: Evaluate different technology stacks and third-party vendors for app development.
- Finalize Scope: Define the project scope, including key features like account management, fund transfers, and customer support.
- Prepare Governance: Establish a project governance board to oversee development and ensure compliance with security regulations.
Outcome: A project-specific architecture that outlines the necessary work packages, compliance measures, and expected outcomes, ensuring the mobile app delivers value to customers.
Conclusion
The ADM provides a flexible and iterative framework for developing architectures that support strategy, portfolio, and project initiatives. By following the configured journeys outlined in this guide, practitioners can ensure that their architectural efforts are aligned with organizational goals and responsive to changing needs.
Through continuous assessment, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on delivering measurable value, organizations can leverage the ADM to drive successful transformations and achieve their strategic objectives. Whether developing a comprehensive architecture to support long-term strategy or focusing on specific projects, the principles of the ADM remain essential for effective enterprise architecture management.