Readiness assessment model in supporting enterprise architecture establishment for Malaysian public sector

Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a strategic approach designed to align business strategy with ICT initiatives which has become part of the digital government transformation programme in most countries. The Malaysian Public Sector (MPS) has embraced EA as one of the pillars in their digital transformation initiative. However, findings from Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) in 2016 revealed that EA establishment in MPS is still at its infancy level due to the lack of EA readiness. Similarly, public sectors in other countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and Oman are also struggling to resolve this issue. Until June 2020, only six (6) agencies in MPS have established EA compared to 25 agencies targeted by MAMPU. Thus, to address this issue, this research proposes an EA Readiness Assessment Model (EARAM) with the aim to assess readiness of MPS, support decision-making process, and plan strategies for EA establishment. This research has four (4) objectives. The first objective is the identification of EA readiness factors followed by the second objective which is the development of EARAM. The third objective is to validate the developed EARAM, while the fourth objective involved evaluation of EARAM. A sequential exploratory mixed method research design was employed to achieve these four (4) objectives. To achieve the first and second objectives, this research used a systematic review (SR) and interview with five (5) EA experts; while the third objective involved three rounds of modified Delphi technique with 13 EA experts. Finally, for the fourth objective, the researcher adopted a multiple case study method whereby three (3) agencies in MPS that are in the EA establishment stage were selected. The EARAM was formulated based on several inputs from SR, interview findings, as well as Information Technology and Information System (IT/IS) Readiness Maturity model. The overall results of three (3) cycles of Delphi technique yielded the conclusion that 45 statements of elements, factors and items in the questionnaires received high consensus of importance in which their Inter Quartile Range (IQR) is between zero (0), and one (1) and median is more than four (4). Results from the Delphi analysis validated four (4) major elements of EARAM, namely 1) Catalyst Enabler, 2) People, 3) Process and 4) Technology along with 14 factors and 45 items. The EA Readiness Assessment Tool (EARAT) is developed by incorporating EARAM validated elements and factors to provide practitioners with an automated tool to assess the EA readiness level of their organisation. The results of EARAT’s evaluation from three (3) agencies in MPS indicated a high level of agreement (with a median score of more than 4.00) that EARAT provides useful and quality information, supports decision making, as well as provides ease of use and user satisfaction to support EA establishment in MPS. In conclusion, this research contributed to the development of EARAM to assess readiness in MPS, supports decision-making process, and plan strategies for EA establishment. This research is also in line with EA Body of Knowledge (EABOK) related to the areas of Organisational Scope and Structure of EA, specifically focusing on the sub-areas of Organisational Need and Drivers

Preliminary Study of Malaysian Public Sector (MPS) Transformation Readiness through Enterprise Architecture (EA) Establishment

Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a holistic approach that not only limited to Information Technology (IT) but also align with the business. EA is not just a tool to be used in a financially competitive world; it is a tool that can help to improve the efficiency of organisation and serves as an instrument for exposing the need for transformation. Consequently, interest in EA in the public sector is increasing in receiving attention. However, to success in EA practices in an organisation yet a concern. The primary aim of this research is to explore the readiness factors that influence the successful EA establishment in Malaysian Public Sector (MPS). Using qualitative approach, the exploration has been made through systematic review and semi-structured interview in with EA experts and practitioners. The data from purposeful and emergent sampling strategies have been analysed using Deductive Qualitative Analysis (DQA). The findings highlighted 17 readiness factors that can be categorised into four main s elements which are Enterprise Environment, Process, People and Technology. In the future, these readiness factors will be analysed on its suitability to be set of readiness assessment criteria towards successful EA establishment in MPS

Development and Validation of Enterprise Architecture (EA) Readiness Assessment Model

Enterprise architecture (EA) proves to be a holistic strategy in aligning business and information technology. An increasing number of organizations, especially in the public sector, have adopted EA in order to take advantage of the opportunities that it offers. Through EA, the efficiency of the organization is improved, with the optimization of resources and the elimination of duplication and redundancy. However, the successful establishment of EA relies on the organization’s readiness and ability to adopt EA practices because without proper readiness, the practices will probably fail. EA readiness refers to the assessment of how ready an organization is to adopt and to establish EA practices. EA readiness helps the organization to measure their stage of readiness, to identify any gaps, and then to redesign its strategy in order to adopt EA practices. EA is a merger between business and IT. Thus, the important elements of EA readiness should comprise of people, process, technology, and catalyst enabler. There is a lack of readiness for an assessment model that shapes these four elements towards EA; hence, a clear gap has been identified. Therefore, the objective of this study is to validate the EA Readiness Assessment Model (EARAM) by performing the Delphi technique. The study adopts a three-round Delphi Technique to verify the identified elements and factors and this is followed by developing and validating the proposed model. Results from the Delphi analysis have validated four (4) major elements of EARAM, namely people, process, technology, and catalyst enabler. The number of factors that contributes towards the readiness of the EA establishment is fourteen (14).   It is anticipated that this model (EARAM) can help the Malaysian Public Sector (MPS) organization to identify and understand the elements and factors that must be considered when assessing the readiness to practice EA

Towards sustainability of EA practices: A systematic review

Enterprise Architecture (EA) has been identified as one of the prime initiative to drive the establishment of connected government towards world class public service delivery.However, building upon several public sector agencies that had implemented these initiatives, it was reported as unfavourable in sustaining EA practices.This study aims to i. review and identify related issues ii. Identify factors that influence sustainability of EA practices also iii. Identify elements of EA governance.Through the systematic literature review (SLR) five related issues were discerned, four key factors were established in sustaining EA practices while five elements of EA governance emerged in the construction of EA governance framework

BIG DATA ANALYTICS FOR SUMMIT GROUP HOSPITAL USING ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE AS STRATEGIC APPROACH

Healthcare is known for being a highly intensive engagement with a complex organisation, and it involves numerous levels of stakeholders. A big data analytics solution is required to simplify and improve the process’s overall data efficacy and flow. However, there are many challenges in implementing big data analytics in a healthcare organisation, as evidenced in some situations. The difficulties that must be addressed are high costs, time-consuming processes in establishing strategic management, and becoming a patient-centred organisation with optimal coordination. As a result, certain studies that have been conducted are suggested a feasible approach for big data analytics is by implementing Enterprise Architecture (EA) in health organisations. The TOGAF ADM model has been chosen as the methodology for implementing EA in a healthcare organisation due to the power of its flexible methods in merging artefacts and its focus on processes. When adopting EA, four architecture layers are examined: Business, Data, Application, and Technology (BDAT). The problems and As-Is environment have been explored, implying that healthcare organisations require EA to assure continuous service delivery. Significantly, the proposed approach will aid stakeholders in quickly adopting the business transformation through the use of EA

Development and validation of enterprise architecture (EA) readiness assessment model

Enterprise architecture (EA) proves to be a holistic strategy in aligning business and information technology. An increasing number of organizations, especially in the public sector, have adopted EA in order to take advantage of the opportunities that it offers. Through EA, the efficiency of the organization is improved, with the optimization of resources and the elimination of duplication and redundancy. However, the successful establishment of EA relies on the organization’s readiness and ability to adopt EA practices because without proper readiness, the practices will probably fail. EA readiness refers to the assessment of how ready an organization is to adopt and to establish EA practices. EA readiness helps the organization to measure their stage of readiness, to identify any gaps, and then to redesign its strategy in order to adopt EA practices. EA is a merger between business and IT. Thus, the important elements of EA readiness should comprise of people, process, technology, and catalyst enabler. There is a lack of readiness for an assessment model that shapes these four elements towards EA; hence, a clear gap has been identified. Therefore, the objective of this study is to validate the EA Readiness Assessment Model (EARAM) by performing the Delphi technique. The study adopts a three-round Delphi Technique to verify the identified elements and factors and this is followed by developing and validating the proposed model. Results from the Delphi analysis have validated four (4) major elements of EARAM, namely people, process, technology, and catalyst enabler. The number of factors that contributes towards the readiness of the EA establishment is fourteen (14). It is anticipated that this model (EARAM) can help the Malaysian Public Sector (MPS) organization to identify and understand the elements and factors that must be considered when assessing the readiness to practice EA

Knowledge communication in government ICT projects: A cross-case analysis study

This study proposes a model from the identified elements affecting knowledge communication during the decision-making process. This study also discusses in detail the findings from five case studies conducted in the Malaysian public sector. A comprehensive analysis of various works of literature outlined crucial elements that influence knowledge communication among IT experts and decision-makers. A conceptual model was developed and applied as a parameter for fifteen interviews at five agencies using the basis review. The cross-case analysis findings emerged a new digital communication element, besides four existing elements. At the end of this study, these elements will be summarised in a model of knowledge communication, particularly for decision-making purposes

Metamodel for enterprise architecture: A systematic literature review

Enterprise Architecture (EA) models can be used to support IT/business alignment. Frequent architecture changes and the challenge of collecting EA data from various stakeholders in large organizations can be problematic due to the size and complexity of EA models. A tighter synchronization between EA models and what they represent in the real world is discussed in this paper, resulting in increased model actuality and consistency. To support these processes, the EA model implementation tool must be able to work with contextual data that is not typically stored alongside EA models. The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of the criteria for developing an EA metamodel. The criteria for developing an EA metamodel were assessed in research studies published between March 2019 and December 2019. An established method of the systematic literature review was used to extract and synthesize data in this research

Towards designing an EA readiness instrument: A systematic review

In order to attain a world class e-government service delivery, the implementation of Enterprise Architecture (EA) is highly recommended to reflect efficient and effective public service delivery. However, agency readiness to embrace and sustain EA practices remains a concern. The aims of this research are i) to identify available mechanisms in measuring readiness, and ii) to identify factors for readiness instruments towards the implementation of an organization's EA. From the analysis results using systematic literature review (SLR), eight measurement mechanisms were identified, while eleven factors categorised in three groups which are people, process and technology emerged as EA readiness measurement factors. Additionally, the instrument may be useful to gauge government agencies' level of staff readiness in implementing EA initiatives