Part 3a

Question 1

Differences between enterprise architecture and IT project portfolio?

Answer 1

IT project portfolio is the set of projects that the firm currently executes
Enterprise architecture: the norms

Question 2

Without EA, what do emerging business problems lead to? (Smits)

Answer 2

the complexity of the IS application portfolio and design debt

Question 3

What are the internal drivers for EA? (Smits)

Answer 3

complexity of IT, high IT costs, or the emerging business problems, and poor IT flexibility

Question 4

What are the external drivers for EA? (Smits)

Answer 4

legislation, standardization, or supervisory institutions

Question 5

What is the EA method from Groot, smits & kuipers to reduce o.a. complexity?

Answer 5

The picture approach

Question 6

What are the three steps of the picture approach?

Answer 6

1. Process - Pressure cooker model
2. Products - Pictures & fact sheet
3. Decision - multicriteria analysis, analytical hierarchy planning

Question 7

Why should one use the picture approach as a model?

Answer 7

• to analyze, redesign and combine system complexes (application portfolios)
• fitting all in one As Is picture (and some To Be pictures)
• to improve business IT alignment in organizations

Question 8

What are the five steps of the picture approach?

Answer 8

0. Establish the project, project management, and senior management support
1. Several photo-shoots –> core process, applications, documents, actors
2. Review of the photos by MT
3. Detailing the photos, adding fact sheets
4. Freezing the photos of the ‘as is’ and (some) ‘to be’ situations
5. Choosing the target EA (the ‘to be’ EA)

Question 9

What do the fact sheets in the picture approach define?

Answer 9

1. sustainability
2. Functionality
3. Process support
4. Cost and benefits
5. Risks

Question 10

With which method do you choose the target EA (step 5 in picture approach)?

Answer 10

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (Analytical Hierarchy planning)

Question 11

What are three approaches to reduce complexity:

Answer 11

• Zachman approach: develop the right models for 5 perspectives and 6 viewpoints
• Picture approach: focus on the right ‘pressure cooker’ modeling process
• Practical approach: use two simple models for IS application portfolio management

Question 12

What is a foundation for execution?

Answer 12

Routine tasks in a firm need to be automated so that they are executed reliably and predictably without requiring any thought

Question 13

Why use a foundation for execution?

Answer 13

Reduce complexity
Enhance business agility
Fulfill needs for regulatory and legal compliance

Question 14

What are the three steps for building a foundation of execution?

Answer 14

1. Operating model: vision on the organization by top management
2. EA maturity model: Creating maturity leadership
3. IT Engagement model: vision on IT governance

Question 15

What is the operating model?

Answer 15

It describes how a company wants to thrive and grow (managerial perspective)

Question 16

What are the two dimensions of the operating model?

Answer 16

Business process standardization: degree to which processes use the same data
Business process integration: degree to which processes operate identically

Question 17

What are the four operating models? (dimensions can be low or high, start with y-axes integration)

Answer 17

HL - Coordination (Customer intimacy)
HH - Unification (Operational excellence)
LL - Diversification (Choice per business unit)
LH - Replication (Product leadership)