Module 3 Post District A Business Architecture

This week's assignment was a difficult one for me.  It wasn’t the comprehension of the principles, those were easily obtainable from the readings.  BIZBOK provides the most comprehensive, yet easily understandable, definition: “a blueprint of the enterprise that provides a common understanding of the organization and is used to align strategic objectives and tactical demands.”  It answers the “who, what, how, when and why of a businesses intent”, and how it’s core functions enable the intent.

What was difficult was trying to understand the Business Architecture of my district.  I contacted many individuals and found that two departments (Instruction and HR) followed an architectural structure.  The other departments seemed to be in a state of flux.  From phone conversations, and emails, departments don’t see themselves as a part of a whole structure, they tend to view themselves individually apart from what one woman called, the “main part” of the district, referring to curriculum and instruction.

Business Architecture identifies the current state and desired future state of the business, it also enables processes to close the gap between the current and future states.  A roadmap, of sorts, to achieve the future state.  With the exception of one member the entire school board is new this school year.  They each have their ideas of what is important and their own expertise that they bring to the table, which is generally a good thing.  From my observations and conversations, I believe that where the district is in the most desperate need of BA is in the transition between the current and future state.  The pathway of a clear goal in which all components are aware of their strategic importance is missing.  

The four high level domains identified by the BIZBOK are Capabilities, Organization, Information, and Value Streams.  If I were to create the Business Architecture for this district, I would focus on restructuring and defining these four domains.  I would then redefine the who, what, when, how, and why of the district to align with the four identified high level domains.  This will bring more structure to the district, and ensure all projects are complementary and communication is seamless to bring the idea that all departments of the district are important and part of the “main part” of the disrtict.

A Guide to the Business Architecture Body of Knowledge [PDF]. (2013). Business Architecture Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2016 from http://www2.mitre.org/public/eabok/pdf/BIZBOK-V3.5-Part1-Introduction.pdf  ​

California Enterprise Architecture Framework [PDF]. (2013). Retrieved February 7, 2016 from http://www.cio.ca.gov/Publications/pubs/Appendix_A.pdf
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Enterprise Architecture Guidebook [PDF]. (2014). Retrieved February 7, 2016 from http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/implementation-support-unit/tech-assist/education-architecture-guidebook.pdf