Enterprise Architecture Integration

Enterprise Architecture Integration March 20, 2007 EA-7003

Critical Success Factors for EA Effectiveness

There are some common critical success factors that EAdirections has recognized in highly effective EA programs. Not all of these critical success factors are seen in every effective EA program; so each organization must determine which factors are hindering and which are enabling EA effectiveness.

Enterprise architecture effectiveness is highly susceptible to many factors unique to a particular organization. Highly effective EA programs exhibit many of the same critical success factors. Many of these factors were in their favor from the beginning and maintained as such, while others were assessed as obstacles and overcome as the program grew. By identifying an enterprise’s strengths and weaknesses, the enterprise architect may develop appropriate remedies to make the environment more favorable for EA growth and effectiveness. This article describes many of the most common critical success factors we have seen in effective EA programs. However, by no means should this list be considered exhaustive, as every organization is likely to have some unique characteristics for consideration in influencing EA program effectiveness.

Critical Success Factors (CSFs)

Based on current best practices in EA development, an analysis of an organization’s CSFs for EA effectiveness provides guidance on how to gain control of your architecture program. It helps you characterize the effectiveness of the EA program and guide a program of continuous EA development and improvement, in order to establish a more effective EA Program. It describes an evolutionary improvement path from ad hoc, inconsistently performed practices, to a mature, disciplined development of the knowledge, skills, and motivation of the EA practice.

Culture, Politics, Leadership, and Operating Model

Many unique cultural, political and leadership factors define an enterprise and influence the...