IT Enterprise Architecture

IT Enterprise Architecture Role

The Guardians are composed of seven members, one of them the Head of IT Enterprise Architecture - Owen Pettiford. The Head of IT Enterprise Architecture, together with the Domain Architects, is responsible for ensuring that all IT Initiatives align with our overall strategic goals and technical standards. This is achieved through the Architecture Review Board (ARB), where each initiative is assessed to ensure it meets the necessary architectural guidelines.

Before an initiative can be presented to the ARB, an Architecture Impact Analysis must be conducted. This analysis evaluates the potential effects of the initiative on our existing systems and infrastructure, identifying any risks or dependencies that need to be addressed.

The IT Enterprise Architecture team plays a pivotal role in driving the successful implementation of our initiatives, ensuring they deliver maximum value to the organization.

To facilitate this process, we use LeanIX, a powerful tool that helps us assess and manage our IT architecture effectively. LeanIX provides comprehensive insights and documentation, enabling us to make informed decisions and ensure that our initiatives are well-aligned with our strategic objectives. By leveraging this tool, the IT Enterprise Architecture team can maintain a clear and coherent architectural framework, optimizing resource utilization, reducing risks, and enhancing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our IT operations.

B. IT Enterprise Architecture Team

C. Domain architects

Each of the Business and Technical IT Domains will have a Domain IT Architect who will report to the Head of/Lead of the Domain with a dotted line to Owen Pettiford, who will be responsible for coordination across IT Domains. The Domain IT Architect is responsible for defining and refining the IT architecture within their Domain, aligning it with the overarching enterprise architecture strategies, and supporting Product Architects to ensure architectural coherence and integrity across products. They will work in collaboration with other Domain Architects and the Enterprise Architect to drive innovation and the adoption of new technologies within the Domain while ensuring compliance with architectural standards and best practices.

D. Portfolio Process: When to Reach out to the IT architecture Team

As you can see in the slide above, the IT Enterprise team should be involved in your Initiative when you reach the Strategize Phase. During this phase, you only need to schedule a meeting with the Head of IT Enterprise Architecture, Owen Pettiford, and your Domain Architect to receive advice on possible solutions for your initiative.

In the Plan Phase, you will need to conduct the Architecture Impact Analysis with their assistance, which will then be validated by Owen Pettiford. Rest assured, the team will support you in every step of the process.

If you reach the Roll-out Phase and the Architect Guardian determines that additional architectural checks are necessary, you will need to meet with them again to assess and complete all required checks. 

E. Principles & Qualities

See Slide 18 for Principles)

(Explore the slides up to slide 23 to discover more about the Architecture Process.)