Towards a Reference Architecture of Intent for Information Systems Strategic Alignment

Enterprise architecture enables strategic alignment through creation of a unified business and IS view of the target state of the business. Using a design science approach, this paper proposes an intent-based technique as an extension to existing modeling techniques for strategic alignment. The proposed approach defines a reference architecture of enterprise intent that includes vocabulary, rules, and structure for development of purposefully aligned strategic-level enterprise architecture. The proposed approach results in interacting hierarchies that can be analyzed through network science approaches

The key role of organizational culture in a multi-system view of technology-driven change.

Organizations undergoing technology-driven change must understand that technology is only one of several inter-related components which drive organizational performance. A multi-system perspective of organizations highlights the interdependencies between an organization's technology, structure and culture and how these affect organizational processes and behaviors. Successful technological innovations require that either the technology be designed to fit the organization's current structure and culture or that the organizational structure and culture be reshaped to fit the demands of the new technology. Thus, the desired effects of new technology are most often realized in organizations able to implement the additional changes that are required to maintain overall fit. To illustrate these issues, this paper presents a case study based on a technology-driven change in a Turkish financial organization. Special attention is given to the role of organizational culture, which is often cited as the most critical factor in successful technology assimilationOrganizational culture; Organizational strategy; Technology-driven change; Technology assimilation;

The Role of Boards in Reviewing Information Technology Governance (ITG) as Part of Organizational Control Environment Assessments

IT Governance (ITG) is an important topic as US companies must now monitor ITG under the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) (Hoffmann, 2003). Trites (2003) indicates that directors are responsible for strategic planning, internal control structures and business risk. The control environment is defined in Australian Auditing Standard AUS 402 to mean "the overall attitude, awareness and actions of management regarding internal control and its importance to the entity". This paper contributes to the knowledge of ITG by forming an integrated ITG Literature (IIL) which links prior research to four key dimensions of ITG. The paper presents a review of literature on ITG performance measurement systems which assess the ability of organizations to achieve these four ITG dimensions. A revised ITG Dimensions Model offered for consideration. The final contribution of the paper is to propose critical issues Boards should consider as part of their assessment of organizational control environments

A goal-oriented requirements modelling language for enterprise architecture

Methods for enterprise architecture, such as TOGAF, acknowledge the importance of requirements engineering in the development of enterprise architectures. Modelling support is needed to specify, document, communicate and reason about goals and requirements. Current modelling techniques for enterprise architecture focus on the products, services, processes and applications of an enterprise. In addition, techniques may be provided to describe structured requirements lists and use cases. Little support is available however for modelling the underlying motivation of enterprise architectures in terms of stakeholder concerns and the high-level goals that address these concerns. This paper describes a language that supports the modelling of this motivation. The definition of the language is based on existing work on high-level goal and requirements modelling and is aligned with an existing standard for enterprise modelling: the ArchiMate language. Furthermore, the paper illustrates how enterprise architecture can benefit from analysis techniques in the requirements domain

Leadership and capability development and deployment in the New Zealand State Service

This article describes the design during 2013 of a model and implementation principles of a leadership and capability development and deployment (LCDD) model for the state services system. In this process, an initial prototype model was developed to describe a desired future state. It was informed by the best traditions of state services leadership development, together with models used by the world’s best companies, such as Procter & Gamble, for leadership development (Filipkowski and Donlon, 2013). The model was then enhanced based on our research in other jurisdictions, including Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom, and co-creation with stakeholders. This is further discussed in the article. Dr Mike Pratt is Professor of Leadership and Sustainability at the University of Waikato, and a professional director and business adviser. Dr Murray Horn is a former Secretary to the Treasury of New Zealand and bank chief executive, and a professional director and business adviser

From engagement to alignment : exploring enterprise architecture through the lens of design science

Information Systems Design Science (ISDS) as a research community is limited by a small number of research frameworks with considerable influence. The small triad of influential ISDS research, consisting of Walls, et al (1992), March and Smith (1995), and Hevner et al (2004) have primarily limited ISDS research to the positivist paradigm and the IT artifact. In contrast, Herbert Simon’s intentions for design science never had such restrictions and intended a broader perspective. This dissertation explores Simon’s intentions for design science, the Simonian stream of thought that includes The Sciences of the Artificial, as well as much of his most notable research, and offers an ‘informed view’ of design science in the tradition of Rortyian neopragmatism. Using this new lens of design science, a Bhaskarian critical realist treatment of human artifacts is also developed. Collectively, a Rortyian neopragmatist treatment for design science, and a Bhaskarian critical realist treatment of human artifacts are used as a lens to augment the Walls et al (1992) framework for Information Systems Design Theories (ISDT). An example of how to apply this lens is accomplished in Paper 2 of the dissertation. The ISDS lens is applied to the topic of Enterprise Architecture (EA). EA as vehicle for IS Alignment is well defined in terms of frameworks, artifacts, and methodology. However little is understood with respect to the discipline and practice of EA. Seeking to advance our understanding of effective vehicles for IS alignment, this research examines EA as an alignment practice and how it attempts to realize alignment. Specifically, we address the following question: How does EA manifest itself in organizations? This research employs an interpretivist epistemology in a manner quite distinct from ISDS research and thus provides contributions to academia in terms of methodology and insight on EA, and for practitioners who wish to mature an EA practice in their organization. Some of the main concepts discovered in the empirical study in Paper 2 are used to develop a practitioner-oriented framework for EA practice in Paper 3

Strategic planning to build transformational preparedness : an application of enterprise architecture practice

Enterprises are continuously evolving systems; this evolution can be directed or emergent. Enterprise transformation has special aspects due to the enterprise being a socio-technical system whereupon evolution happens on the levels of individuals / humans / organisation, on the level of the technology and on the level of the Information Systems that integrates the activities performed by humans and by technology. Furthermore, changes are typically continuous, due partly to external factors and partly to strategic foresights. Either way, transformation needs to happen so that the enterprise can keep satisfying its objectives. An important transformation mechanism is to perform mergers or acquisitions (M&amp;As). Interestingly, literature reveals that an unacceptably high percentage of M&amp;As do not achieve the aimed objectives and (as we demonstrate) the success of such trajectory depends on several factors. This article proposes a methodology to overcome potential problems by making necessary anticipatory transformations opening up a possibility to perform M&amp;As with a better chance of success.<br /

Achieving Alignment: An Analysis of Enterprise Architecture Best Practices within the United States Air Force

This research uncovers areas of best practices that support achieving alignment between an organization’s Information Technology (IT) and its business processes. One principal finding of this effort revealed that the means used to achieve alignment exists within the effective application of Enterprise Architecture (EA), a common practice found throughout the Federal Government, Department of Defense, and the Air Force. EA is the tool used to achieve alignment; likewise, the reason for developing IT architecture is to achieve alignment of IT investments and mission objectives. This research groups the best practices into vision, identification, framework, and governance. Interestingly, these practices relate to an Enterprise Architecture’s depiction of the to be target state, the as is baseline, the tools and models used for communication, and the motivation and management of the transition plan. The insights achieved by this research should strengthen the use of Enterprise Architecture within the Air Force by enabling senior leaders and decision-makers to align strategy and IT investment towards improving mission accomplishment

Process oriented approaches in enterprise architecture for business-IT alignment

Business-IT Alignment (BITA) has been an issue for researchers of Information and Systems Technology (IST) area for the last three or four decades. Many authors refer to BITA as a concern subject of IST managers, in what regards its achievement, but also its maintenance. Nevertheless, all approaches seem to be time and resources consumers, contrary to what would be desirable nowadays: achieve and maintain BITA quickly, efficiently and sustainably. Enterprise Architecture (EA) construction, as a way to BITA, especially when a Business Process Management (BPM) approach is used, a list of best practices should be obtained. Using Case Study methodology, with a data set content analysis, this paper intends to highlight benefits of using it, in process oriented approaches' to EA construction aiming BITA. Besides contribute to EA construction using process oriented methodologies, it is also important to consider the contribution to the Academy, with the scientific knowledge' increase in this area. And also the contribution to both involved consultancy companies, as well as to the organizations, in this case Municipalities, deserves attention: organization's processes are improved and real problems can be solved.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio