ErikHaahr Consult offers advice based on enterprise architecture and IT governance while focusing on the application portfolio of the company.
Enterprise Architecture is a framework that describes the organization and the interconnections of the various components of the organization including technology and work processes. This methodical approach ensures an overview of complex systems and creates links between descriptions at strategic, tactical and operational levels. In this way resulting consequences are revealed at different levels when strategic changes are negotiated and implemented.
Apart from being an effective tool when implementing a top-down strategy, Enterprise Architecture operates as a bottom-up management tool— i.e. if a company is forced, for practical reasons, to make an operational decision which is not in line with the strategy, this manifests itself immediately and thus enables the company to take corrective action.
Governance is calculated and documented management — an area which, when it comes to IT, is neglected by many companies — for the present moment without major consequences; however, this is likely to change in the near future. Within Corporate Governance, internationally we have seen measures, such as the Sarbannes-Oxley Act, and here in Denmark, the Nørby committee report, with guidelines for good company governance. In general, focus on governance is increasing, also within IT, and indications are that guidelines for issuing audit reports will be tightened particularly in this area.
Good IT governance ensures that the company possesses the framework and guidelines required to focus on and give priority to the most important IT initiatives for the company. Furthermore it leads to expenditure being saved on minor changes without it impacting core business operations. This is the way to ensure that the IT portfolio actively supports the company’s current business strategy.
