The Execution Challenge

Chapter 7Building the Strategic Business Architecture Function and Integration with Strategic Planning

Building a truly strategic business architecture function is a difficult task because there are very few solid exemplars to study. As we've discussed in earlier chapters, a strategic business architecture function that informs enterprise-wide strategy and facilitates the execution of the enterprise strategy must be integrated with strategic planning. This chapter will explore major success factors for strategic business architecture, especially effective value measurement and communication. We will also discuss critical competencies and skills needed for success, as well as the significant potential for innovation facilitation across the organization.

Major Success Factors for Strategic Business Architecture

Several critical factors enable successful strategic business architecture. Strategic business architecture requires the leadership of the strategic planning function to understand the value that such a practice brings to the strategy execution process. As you start out in this journey, it's often not enough for senior leadership to “get it”; you must also be able to demonstrate and communicate the value strategic business architecture brings to the strategy execution process. We will explore this topic in depth later in this chapter. First, let's look at several critical success factors for strategic business architecture.

Integration with Strategic Planning and Structuring ...