Enterprise Architecture: Structure and Positions

This document discusses the necessary architecture positions and how to structure the architecture function in SteelCo, a large steel manufacturing company. It explores the organization's architecture structure, the roles of different divisions, and the need for architects in each position.

Enterprise Architecture
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Contents
Report 1.1........................................................................................................................................3
Report 1.2........................................................................................................................................5
Report 1.3........................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
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Report 1.1
Discuss that how should SteelCo structure its architecture function in term of necessary
architecture positions.
SteelCo is based on the largest steel manufacturing company that established in several
decade ago. The organization grew largely via acquisitions and mergers of small organization
occupying with adjustment to niche market. It is mainly focused on the corporate restructurings.
According to case study, SteelCo structure has been developed the organization architecture
which mainly refers as a way in which organization managed its entire supply chain (Dang,
Vartiainen and Pekkola, 2019). In another way, it can be determined the physical design of
enterprise in term of architecture, layout of its current workspace.
In recently, The SteelCo manufacturing firm spilt into different division such as Alpha
and Beta. These are governed from the lean central office and always reported their financial
indictor to the top business executive. However, these type of division represent as essential
independent business structure for performing various functions. Each and Every division
managed by appointed executive director which directly reporting to the corporate leadership.
The divisions are free to set their own agenda while pursuing the competitive strategies which
make their own investment in decision making.
Alpha division is consider as architecture design which highly centralised manufacturing
shop. It also specialised on the distributed the particular product as well as service to potential
consumers. The division of IT department which employing around 150 to 180 specialist and
involves external contractors. Furthermore, Specialist within IT department is responsible for
handling the supply chain activities (Ehrensperger, Sauerwein and Breu, 2020). On the other
hand, Beta Division is becoming complex which mainly offering the core products and focused
on the various market segment as well customer groups. Substantially, different manufacturing
process, sales, distribution.
In order to align with architecture position while dividing into different service to main
business such as accounting, HR, finance and information technology. As per case study, it also
understand that Division beta has been investing the share of profit in design new IT
infrastructure but it will require to consider the business activities for handling suppliers,
products, market and customers. Necessary steps are undertaken by SteelCo firm to establish the
standardized, flexible, integrated and manageable landscape of aligned enterprise and IT process.
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Having control the entire function of business that will implement changes in landscape so that
they help for delivering solution. In order to perfect way to maintain architectural position in
global marketplace.
Identify that how many architects does organization needs for each of these position with brief
explanation.
As per given scenario, it has been evaluated the needs of organizational architecture that
refer to be developed environment. In another sense, it consistently concern about the effective
strategy to adapt the significant position in global marketplace.
There are approximately 4-5 architects in the organization but doesn’t facilitate informed
decision-making among stakeholders. Multiple architects are established the coordination with
alpha and Beta division (Fatimah, Hermadi and Nurhadryani, 2019). In order to identify the
current enterprise architecture. In SteelCo manufacturing, enterprise architects represent as
workspace which always influencing the design, pattern, employees role, process and formal
reporting relationship in the organization. For instances, it also considered the management
processes which assigned into different departments that operates in proper manner.
As per case study, it provide the better infrastructure into which enterprise processes
deployed and ensure that improve the core qualities. In this way, it can be identified that SteelCo
manufacturing firm has been planned to establish the IT infrastructure as architecture for
improving the internal communication between multiple departments.
Moreover, it will be required the one-centralised architecture needs for SteelCo firm to
establish the interrelated connectivity between various departments. In order to exchange the
information or data in regards of value supply chain, customers details (Fritscher and Pigneur,
2020). In given study, it has examined that SteelCo uses the division on the basis of business
functional position. It also useful for providing the brief idea about the various activities that
have performed within organization. So as it become easier for identifying that create or develop
one-centralised architecture in which established the coordination between different department
in proper manner (Gong and Janssen, 2019). In order to maintain the current architecture position
of organization.
As per case study, Alpha and beta division structure aligned with the major supporting units
which providing the share division wide services. In this way, Centralised IT infrastructure will
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support for managing Alpha and Beta divisions while enhancing their capabilities in term of
architecture position.
Report 1.2
What is an operating model of MultiCorp and each of its three strategic business units?
An operating model is based on the abstract as well as visual representation that how
MultiCrop firm delivers value to potential customers (Mayer and et.al., 2019). The organization
is consider complex system for delivering value whereas Operating model break down the
system into different components and also represent that how it will work.
As per given scenario, MultiCrop is based on the multi-profile company which mainly
consists of three different strategic units. These are independent doing business under multiple
brands. In this organization, Diversification is an operating model that support for different
strategic units, shared the customer, suppliers (Fritscher and Pigneur, 2020). The Strategic units
such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma. These are operationally unique and perform different operation
and function independently. Many IT, business process design related decision made by each
strategic units (Nurmi, Penttinen and Seppänen, 2019). However, these strategic units do
leverage which is considered as set of shared services. In order to integrate with the specific
environment whereas easily establish coordination between enterprise unit to another.
What are particular business processes that standardized company wide and within each of its
enterprise units?
As per scenario, it has been considered the business processes that widely used in each
strategic units. In order to support for maintaining and controlling the standards quality of good
or service in proper manner.
In Unit Alpha, It is based on the food manufacturing enterprise in which produces and
distributes the wide range of good and service Steenkamp and et.al., 2019).. Therefore, it should
be considered the enterprise processes such as storage arrangements, equipment’s. Production
process and transportation. These processes are performing different task, which help for
delivered the large amount of product to potential customer.
In beta unit, it is based on the restaurant enterprise which mainly controls supply chain of
fast food items. The Beta Strategic unit should consider the standardized policies, working
procedures for controlling flow of information (Gong and Janssen, 2019). In order to make an
effective strategic plan to improve the business capabilities.
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In Gamma unit, it is based on the running the chain of resort which mainly considered the
competitive strategy to make plan for recognition of customer services. Afterwards, it will
provide the better facilities and services to build lifelong relationship with (Steenkamp and et.al.,
2019). In this way, it has been focused on the customer service by using strategic for collecting
information, developing special offer to promote personalized discounts (Gong and Janssen,
2019).
Identify that what type of data integrated across the entire company and its business units?
MultiCorp is a type of diversified and multi-profile organization which mainly consists of
information about product and services. In order to mention all specifications of each item as per
preferences, demand of customers. Afterwards, it is mainly focused on the diverse strategic units
as independent enterprises under different brand industry (Fritscher and Pigneur, 2020). The
potential customer details integrated across the entire organization whereas each strategic units
gather more information through market research. Alpha strategic unit is based on the food
manufacturing enterprise so that they will try to collect information about the each food item
whereas each item line server by different function such as HR, marketing, accounting, logistics
and legal.
Furthermore, Beta compete the restaurant enterprise which always concerned about the
menu and set up the fixed price. In order to target the large number of potential towards
restaurant. In Gamma Unit, it is running the chain of resort and implies competitive strategy to
improve brand recognition (Fatimah, Hermadi and Nurhadryani, 2019). The strategic unit also
integrated with the information about customers, transaction histories and aggregating the
information globally. It is leveraging for providing the better customer services.
What is the highest level structure of IT landscape in organization and its enterprises units?
In MultiCrop, the highest level structure of information technology landscape is that
when changing the work environment, enterprise committed towards the current and emerging
state of technology. In order to change the capabilities and their application that will be used in
business operations (Fatimah, Hermadi and Nurhadryani, 2019). The high level of IT is to arise
from different forces which will create the combination of fundamental capabilities. It enabled
by adapting the new product as well as services.
Alpha, Beta and Gamma strategic units are considered to adapt concept of information
technology because it has been increasing the business performance and efficiency. Three
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different strategic units are used the invention of tool such as internet. Although IT landscape for
increasing high internet connectivity. In this way, it is helping for sharing information from one
department to another (Fatimah, Hermadi and Nurhadryani, 2019). Within IT department, each
and every staff members qualified in various technologies that mainly used in the Strategic
enterprise IT landscape. So that it become easier to change the market condition and also
enabling the innovative way of working within organization.
Report 1.3
What is wrong with installed EA tool?
When FinCorp firm installed the EA tool in the system. It has been arise the problem or
issue related the corrupt installation, fatal error, cannot initializing libraries. In this way, IT
department face the issue and will not completed the setting in proper manner (Fritscher and
Pigneur, 2020). If EA tool is not successful install so that it may possible file attempt to retrieve
incomplete. It also located in the user internet cache, user temporary directory.
In FinCorp, IT users report installation issue to business executive before installing EA
tool. Initially, they can coordinate with vendor and verifying the size of file, version. Afterwards,
it will be following the appropriate policies and procedures, completing the installation process
in proper manner.
Is the tool adding value to FinCorp?
Yes, it is true when adaption of EA tool increase business efficiency as well as
performance. In FinCorp, IT leaders are performing different operation to collect or gather large
amount of information related financial, customers (Fritscher and Pigneur, 2020). Thus,
organization had installed and configured the tool which mainly established the central
repository for collecting large amount of architectural information (Fatimah, Hermadi and
Nurhadryani, 2019). In this way, it can said that EA tool suitable for business operation to handle
any type of visualization as well as analytical task in proper manner.
Furthermore, Enterprise Architecture tool always established the interrelation
connectivity different internal departments. So that it provide facilities to share the financial data
to other department. It is the best way to handle the critical tasks within organization.
EA tool is also useful in functional areas of organization. it helps for performing
comprehensive strategy, analysis, testing, management, design that address various aspects of
business (Fritscher and Pigneur, 2020). In some situation, it can be combined with the UML with
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representing high performance, intuitive interface which bring an integrated and advanced thing
for development team (Fritscher and Pigneur, 2020). In additional, EA tool perform analysis in
which find out the limited prominent application that actually integrated with enterprise
operations. In term of technology, it is era of rapidly evolving tool which often support
transformation but need to require the clear information or data. So that it become easier to
update on regular basis. in this way, FinCrop firm also identifying the progressive report
effectively and efficiently.
How can tool be used to facilitate enterprise and IT alignment?
The Enterprise architects seek to align the business processes, structure with their
supporting IT system. It disciplined that has emerged from enterprise practices. EA tool that can
help for enterprise architects to check the proper IT alignment (Steenkamp and et.al., 2019). In
most probably, it provide facility to formalise the different level of business model.
Nowadays, it is volatile business environment, culture which has constantly adjust their
activities to the changing circumstances. At that time EA tool always support for business
operation and function, processes such as databases, dependencies, servers. As a result, FinCorp
adopt the IT tool while improving the transformation project in particular budget, schedule and
able to reach their significant goal.
EA tool accelerate analysis and decision support for alternative enterprise investment,
optimization of opportunities (Steenkamp and et.al., 2019). The financial enterprise is
complicated mesh of various system, application which mainly varying degree of prominence as
well as importance. In this way, EA tool provide facility to improve the holistic process which
may identify the trends, streamline its technology stack and cut down prices. Furthermore, it is
also supporting the creation of various actionable, signature ready to deliver better result or
outcome (Fatimah, Hermadi and Nurhadryani, 2019. By using tool, it can be created the roadmap
which directly reflecting the organization priorities.
By using EA tool, FinCorp has managed the various distribution tasks effectively and
efficiently. The physical operations are implemented when project enable to change their
architecture (Steenkamp and et.al., 2019). On the other hand, EA tool provide facilities to
establish collaboration on charting, documenting, visualising in coherent as well as consistent
manner.
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EA tool or framework has been defined as modelling paradigm where identifying the
multiple level of IT system. It support for every department or specialist who will tool to monitor
activities. It mainly involves marketing, IT developer and other enterprise process. In order to
resolve issue and develop an appropriate IT alignment.
What should be done to maximise value of tool for company?
Enterprise architecture tool is defined as framework that support for entire business
activities. In order to establish collaboration within internal management for increasing
capabilities. It should have a greater value of EA tool within FinCrop because it can develop
stability into enterprise by creating architecture (Fritscher and Pigneur, 2020). It mainly deals
with the multiple layer of abstraction in the form of guidance, direction as well as information. In
this way, it directly beneficial for FinCorp to monitor their financial activities.
FinCrop had configured and installed the tool, establish the full-fledged practices to
accommodate with problem. Sometimes, it directly affecting on IT investment process, poor
management. So as needed to acquire an appropriate tool which established the relationship
between different departments (Fatimah, Hermadi and Nurhadryani, 2019). By using tool,
FinCrop has associated with the multiple business process and started to update information or
data. Therefore, each and every financial information update within system so that it become
easier for user to access information effectively. EA tool increases the demand of business in
global world because it provide accurate result or outcome. In another way, it can be said that
increase value of tool for organization.
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REFERENCES
Book and Journals
Dang, D., Vartiainen, T. and Pekkola, S., 2019. Patterns of Enterprise Architecture Adoption in
the Public Sector: A Resource-Based Perspective. In 27th European Conference on
Information Systems.
Ehrensperger, R., Sauerwein, C. and Breu, R., 2020. Current Practices in the Information
Collection for Enterprise Architecture Management. arXiv preprint arXiv:2004.05087.
Fatimah, H.A., Hermadi, I. and Nurhadryani, Y., 2019. ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE
APPROACHMENT FOR DESIGNING IT MASTER PLAN BASED ON ERP FOR
WATER UTILITY COMPANY. Jurnal Aplikasi Manajemen. 17(2). pp.336-344.
Fritscher, B. and Pigneur, Y., 2020. A visual approach to business IT alignment between
business model and enterprise architecture. In Sustainable Business: Concepts,
Methodologies, Tools, and Applications (pp. 543-566). IGI Global.
Gong, Y. and Janssen, M., 2019. The value of and myths about enterprise
architecture. International Journal of Information Management. 46. pp.1-9.
Mayer, N. and et.al., 2019. An integrated conceptual model for information system security risk
management supported by enterprise architecture management. Software & Systems
Modeling. 18(3). pp.2285-2312.
Nurmi, J., Penttinen, K. and Seppänen, V., 2019. Examining Enterprise Architecture Definitions:
Implications from Theory and Practice. In Selected Papers of the IRIS (No. 9).
Association for Information Systems.
Steenkamp, A.L. and et.al., 2019. Enterprise architecture specification case study. Journal of
Information Systems Education. 24(2). p.3.
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