The Strategy Clarification Process, Part 2
A few months ago I completed a round of in-depth research on the current state of business architecture practices. One of the areas I looked into was the business architect’s role in strategy execution. I found that most established and successful business architecture practices are deeply engaged in developing their organization’s strategy execution process. This […]
Modal Windows: Which Code Will You Implement Today?
Looking for a way to streamline tasks that engage your end user? Modals are the answer. If implemented correctly, they are a seamless way to create an effective interface element of brilliant platform design that ultimately helps the user complete items quickly and easily. However, if poorly executed, you face the risk of frustrating the user and damaging the customer experience. Let’s draw a clear line in the […]
Are Business Architects Capabilities Nouns or Verb-Nouns?
Should capabilities be best represented as nouns or verb-nouns? The Business Architecture Guild argues that business capabilities are best represented as nouns. I disagree. Capabilities are best represented as verb-nouns. Why is that important to you as a business architect? If a capability is what an organization needs to do to execute business strategy, then semantics matter. The […]
How to Design CX Using an Architect’s Approach
Have you ever seen a Frank Lloyd Wright house? His homes are world famous masterpieces –with eight of them now inscribed as UNESCO world heritage sites. Aside from his unique aesthetic, what’s always amazed me was his ability to convert the initial designs into actual, real-life structures. After all, what’s the point of breath-taking design, […]
4 Reasons Why You Should Not Become a Business Architect
The first question I usually ask my business architect clients is “why do you want to be a business architect?” I think it is particularly telling that almost none of them can tell me. What I am trying to get at here is the motivation for becoming a business architect. As it turns out, this […]
The Business Architect Consultant
Business architects will operate more as internal consultants than architects. The traditional idea of creating a global reference architecture as a driving force will give way to more targeted work. Business architects will largely be called upon to solve specific business problems and help with specific decisions. They will operate more like internal consultants, bringing […]
Let the Dataset Change Your Mindset
Five Things That Businesses Can Learn from Hans Rosling “Let the dataset change your mindset” – Hans Rosling “Few people will appreciate the music if I just show them the notes. Most of us need to (hear it)” – Hans Rosling On February 7, 2017, the world lost Hans Rosling, a Swedish physician, academic, and statistician. […]
6 Essential Traits of the Entrepreneurial Business Architect
Most business architects I know wouldn’t call themselves entrepreneurs but there is more similarity there than they think – at least for the successful ones. When I am working with new business architecture teams I often encourage them to think like a startup. If nothing else, this approach helps them create a deeper understanding of […]
Good Customer Experiences & Good Business Process
Creating Good Customer Experiences Creating good customer or constituent experiences is the difference between great companies and all others. What is a great experience? My working definition: a great customer experience delivers the outcome the customer expects almost every time with as little effort on the customer’s part as possible. Great customer experiences, particularly in […]
Five Questions Every Business Architect Should be Able to Answer
I work with a lot of business architects. I find them to be highly intelligent, deeply dedicated to both their profession and their company’s success, and well-skilled at their craft. But I don’t find them to be particularly introspective. As business architects, we put a lot of energy into modeling our organization’s strategies, processes, technologies, […]