Lecture 3B - EA as a process (Method for change)

Question 1

How do you reduce objective complexity?

Answer 1

• Reduce # of components per system & portfolio
• Reduce # of interfaces between systems
• Reduce # of functions (through FPA)

Question 2

How do you reduce subjective complexity?

Answer 2

• Reduce the effort to understand the portfolio (by visualizing main parts & relations from managerial + IT perspectives)
• Support (group) decision-making using AHP.

Question 3

What can be internal drivers for EA?

Answer 3

• Audit of systems, processes, data etc.
• Specifying Management Information
• Manage IT system portfolio
• Manage sourcing relationships
• Guide system development
• Preparing a merger or acquisition
• Reducing complexity
• Reducing time to market

Question 4

What is design debt?

Answer 4

• Architectural debt accumulated by applying a quick fix without proper refactoring ( restructuring an existing body of code)
• Interest of the debt = cost/effort to solve
• Complexity increases non-linearly each time a quick fix is applied.
• Having design debt will fuck you up in the long run.

Question 5

How can you recognize design debt?

Answer 5

• No visible architectural champion
• Lack of balance between business and IT department
• No decommissioning strategy
• Duplicate systems
• Geological time scales required to make simple business changes (No agility)
• Lack of confidence that change will actually work
• Project over-burn budget and schedule
• IT costs erode business margins
• Brand erosion

Question 6

What is meant with decommissioning strategy?

Answer 6

How to deal with removing/replacing/updating an old system.

Question 7

What is design debt in terms of EA complexity?

Answer 7

The difference between the target complexity the firm aims for and the max complexity a firm can handle. (Total design debt)

Firm specific: Between your current state and your desired state

-> The more mature your firm, the more complexity it can handle and the more complexity it can reduce as well.

Question 8

What can be the end goal/effect of using EA principles?

Answer 8

Use of principles -> improve quality of EA (Capabilities) -> EA benefits.