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Posted by: prabasiva

IT Strategy formation process (from vision statement to IT balanced Scorecard) is not a unique and dedicated process for information technology field. The process is based on Kaplan & Norton methodologies are not only well known but widely used for any functional strategy (like corporate strategy, business strategy, marketing strategy etc) formation. It is generic and simple to follow by any one in the organization.

The unified strategy formation for any functional area ensures it aligns with the overall corporate strategy and the performance measurement (IT scorecard) is folded under the corporate balanced scorecard.

It is relatively easy to come up with a good strategy for any organization or functional area within the organization as long as the methodologies, approaches of the strategy formation is understood and direction of the organization are clear with the stakeholder of the process. The real upbeat challenge is to execute the strategy to meet the vision. Strategy execution is the area where most of the organization struggle.

That is where the enterprise architecture of the organization can assist the come up with the right initiatives to meet the target defined for the strategic objectives (a bubble in the strategy map is a strategic objective)

Enterprise architecture is not a strategy. It is tool used to implement the IT strategy. EA will provide the realistic picture what can be done in current year to meet the strategy. It will assist what are the measures the organization can use for each strategic objective. The target for each measure shall be decided by the executive management of the organization. The initiatives to meet the target can be selected based on the information available in the enterprise architecture.

This concept not only works but is very effective. Can you imagine how to create initiatives for Business – IT alignment, improve the innovation with in the organization, maximize the return on IT investment? It will become clear and realistic if you use the EA. I will soon create a case study with IT strategy implementation using Enterprise architecture.