tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18327708.post113211471709311109..comments2023-03-07T05:40:06.991-08:00Comments on The Art and Science of Being an IT Architect: The Scourge of the I/T Architect's UniversePhilip Hartmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08097247076974933969noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18327708.post-1133074648394151182005-11-26T22:57:00.000-08:002005-11-26T22:57:00.000-08:00Couldn't agree more. Historically as IT architects...Couldn't agree more. <BR/>Historically as IT architects we've been underperforming at the business aspects of 'the game'.<BR/>Your other posting about the business transformation architect role has really hit home with me, and it ties in with this topic. Essentially, the business skills need to be added to the IT architect role if we are to ensure a value creation mentality rather than being pushed into obscurity by the scourge of cost centre conservatism.<BR/>By chance, at the beginning of this year I decided to go back for more education and looked at doing an MBA. Instead of an orthodox MBA I settled on a slight variation on the theme - the MBT, masters of business and technology - which now appears to be a very fortuitous choice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18327708.post-1132274222517422252005-11-17T16:37:00.000-08:002005-11-17T16:37:00.000-08:00steve ryan,(heavy sigh) I agree. I just seems tha...steve ryan,<BR/><BR/>(heavy sigh) I agree. I just seems that he business case is so difficult to make, particularly in industries which are not historically early adopters of new technology. The more of a commodity the business, the less interest in technology to enable competitive advantage.Philip Hartmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08097247076974933969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18327708.post-1132270299979781122005-11-17T15:31:00.000-08:002005-11-17T15:31:00.000-08:00I think the fundamental issue is about understand...I think the fundamental issue is about understanding what is driving a business.<BR/>Business investment decisions are about return on investment. Clearly businesses understand investment in infrastructure eg. all utility companies depend on it, banks invest in a network of branches and ATMs etc. However, they are also well aware of the pitfalls. There is a litany of failures of the "build it and they shall come" business model.<BR/>So really this issue is how to build a compelling business case for our proposed IT infrastructure investment. Like any business case it needs to clearly articulate the benefits.<BR/>Typically, historically, us IT Architects are not real good at that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18327708.post-1132229314768587542005-11-17T04:08:00.000-08:002005-11-17T04:08:00.000-08:00Aneel, I'm glad you stopped by and thanks for your...Aneel, <BR/>I'm glad you stopped by and thanks for your comment. You raise an interesting question. Why is it so hard to sell shared infrastructure? If I knew the answer I would be rich. I know that corporate culture and past negative experiences play a part. Often there is an attitude of "will this help me sell one more widget?" or "I remember 3 years ago when project XXX failed."Philip Hartmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08097247076974933969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18327708.post-1132204465693788052005-11-16T21:14:00.000-08:002005-11-16T21:14:00.000-08:00Is it really that hard to show the quantitative be...Is it really that hard to show the quantitative benefit of shared infrastructure? As long as the scope of the people driving finance extends beyond the immediate short-term, which I'm guessing it must if they're gonna last as a company, there must be a simple way to show the loss to the business of project-driven vs. shared infrastructure models.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18327708.post-1132193024463156132005-11-16T18:03:00.000-08:002005-11-16T18:03:00.000-08:00Deepak, Thanks for stopping by and for your commen...Deepak, <BR/>Thanks for stopping by and for your comment. It seems, we can never escape selling our ideas and ourselves (our credibility).Philip Hartmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08097247076974933969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18327708.post-1132155193908376842005-11-16T07:33:00.000-08:002005-11-16T07:33:00.000-08:00As long the "business types" don't see the quantit...As long the <I>"business types"</I> don't see the quantitave ($$) benefit of a shared infrastructure it is very difficult to get them change the current model. You are right, may be we really do need more people crossing overDeepak Kaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02413470781343966109noreply@blogger.com