Connecting Business Drivers To Enterprise Architecture

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Understanding business plans and challenges is essential when starting an enterprise architecture (EA) effort or when taking stock of an existing effort. It is also a necessary part of continuous or annual planning and alignment. But the value and credibility of the EA effort depends upon how architecture strategies and deliverables are connected to business plans and needs. EA groups struggle with capturing business drivers and using them within an ongoing enterprise architecture effort. These groups should use a structured approach that facilitates dialogue with key constituents and makes effective use of the results.