Journey from Business Vision to Business Value
Here is a high level framework I used over the years to propose solutions (RFP) to win contracts and sometimes to deliver the solutions. It is nothing like a formal method; the main reason for this framework is to design, develop and deploy solutions in a repeatable and consistent way to deliver constant business value.
I’d like to share it because I know that there are methodologies which are at OOD level, just focus on development, or other complicated ones for enterprise architects but it’s always a challenge to find some thing in the middle one level higher that SDLC, one level lower than Enterprise Architecture.
Top-Down
Understand that business is an organization established for generating profit. It is a commercial organization. And it is driven by “Business Drivers” such as internal and external forces and pressures that have significant influence on how the business performs and operates.
Understand Business Architecture: it describes the functions a business performs and the information it uses. Business architectures realises the business in an organised manner. Business architecture consists of the following key elements:
Understand Technical Architecture: It is the implementation of business architecture realized by technical components such as software applications, databases, infrastructure, and communication between those. Technical architecture defines information and application technology architecture in terms of:
Bottom-Up
Understand Solution Foundation: it is the technical basis of every system to be built on and with. These foundations are:
Understand Solution Patterns: solution pattern is a "solution to a problem in context"; that is, it represents a high-quality solution to a recurring problem. Solutions patterns are not limited to “Design Patterns” but extend to the following patterns:
Alignment – Meet in the Middle
Solution architecture is the detailed description of the solution designed to solve business and technical problems; it provides such architecture that when implemented, it delivers value.
Alignment of Business Architecture, Technical Architecture and Solution Architecture is vital to delivering business value. Complying with business requirements and vision as well as following IT strategy for short term and long terms commitments is fundamental characteristic of a winning solution.
After verifying the solution architecture aligned with the business, the solution is developed by using a proven SDLC such as MSF Agile or SCRUM. It is recommended to employ an iterative/incremental development and deployment process to deliver Business Value as early as possible within a consistent and stable environment.