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What is "actionable enterprise architecture" and what can it do for my organization?

Actionable enterprise architecture (AEA) is an approach developed by IBM to eliminate the obstacles to complex IT projects. Too often these initiatives fall short of expectations either because of organizational complexities, miscommunication or the technical challenges of the applications themselves.

AEA focuses on optimizing the key principles and models that describe your company's desired future state in four key areas:

  • Strategy architecture: the business vision and goals combined with the strategies and tactics used to achieve them
  • Business architecture: the capabilities, services, events, information, roles, organization and terminology
  • Information systems architecture: the business scenarios, process, applications, services, data, personnel and other elements that support business functions
  • Technology architecture: the specific hardware and software

The AEA discipline helps business achieve greater efficiency by eliminating organizational waste and streamlines IT by identifying areas to consolidate systems or realign resources. AEA also standardizes components, data and functions within ERP deployments for greater organizational control.

By engaging in actionable enterprise architecture, organizations can be prepared to take advantage of emerging technologies to meet the demands of changing business conditions. With AEA, new initiatives can be launched quickly, effectively and at lower cost.

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