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Planning for Non-Technology Impacts on Enterprise Architectures

As Enterprise Architects we are all familiar with the four step Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model for carrying out change and continuously improving (see Figure 1).  Many of the methods and processes we leverage as architects follow this model and indeed even strategic planning follows a similar cycle.  TOGAF’s Architecture Development Method (ADM) also follows a similar model of planning, doing, checking and acting in order to advance an enterprise’s architecture capabilities, and consequently their business objectives.

Figure 1 - PDCA Model

It’s astounding to think of the impact that COVID-19 has had on organizations over the past six months.  Many organizations have had to defer projects and initiatives and shift corporate priorities.  COVID-19 has profoundly changed work life as it relates to remote work, automation, call centers, and corporate security.   Consider how the pandemic has changed the way we work.  No longer is it the norm to travel to the office in the morning and meet with your colleagues.  The typical day now consists of many online meetings, instant messages and document sharing and collaboration.  Signing of paper documents and physically going to the office to do so is no longer practical - or safe in some cases. 

COVID-19 and the effect that it has had on organizations has rapidly evolved, and as a result, Enterprise Architects must continuously monitor trends and adjust the architecture plan.  These types of external factors (especially ones that are rapidly evolving and changing) require additional attention to detail and a more agile approach to planning to ensure that they are closely monitored. 

Our team is monitoring trends that impact enterprise architecture, and we will release them in a series of blogs throughout 2021.  Check back soon.

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