- 19 March, 2009 10:48 AM EST
- Enterprise Architecture and the Economy
In a recent poll, we asked: "How has the economy impacted your enterprise architecture (EA)?" The responses were:
- EA received additional responsibility and resources - 16%
- EA proactively changed its focus - 24%
- No changes - 24%
- EA resources are being reduced or reallocated - 28%
- EA is at risk - 8%
Stated differently, 36% of efforts appear to be at risk of reduction of resources or elimination entirely and 64% of efforts appear to be OK, possibly even benefiting somewhat. While these polls aren't exactly scientific, and the response rate of this poll is lower than that of prior polls, previous polls taken this way tracked very closely with the polls run by our primary research organization (i.e. our statisticians).
Interpreting these results admittedly is more art than science. For the 16% who stated they received additional responsibility and resources, this is a time for action - a time to prove themselves when their organization probably really needs them. Congratulations to the 24% who proactively changed their focus; the proactive shift demonstrates much needed flexibility. For 24% who experienced no changes, deliver on stated goals and carefully monitor environmental trends, ensuring any impending changes are addressed proactively. For the 28% of EA organizations who are losing resources, do what can be done to ensure that an EA mentality is maintained. Now more than ever, organizations must be creative, efficient, and effective. Ensure that EA content is shared and EA thinking persists. Finally, for the 8% who are at risk, consider a recent article entitled: "Act Now to Gauge and Bolster Enterprise Architecture Viability During the Downturn". Look to aligning EA's value proposition with the organization's current values. That which an organization valued in June 2008 may have shifted in 2009. In fact, all EA efforts should, at a minimum, stop and consider their current applicability.
There may be some good news in this as well. Enterprise architecture, like scientific management, falls in and out of favor. In previous cycles, the number of EA efforts at risk was significantly higher. It was common to see enterprise architecture efforts eliminated during a downturn. It may be that acceptance of EA as a valuable and necessary function has reached mainstream.
