In today’s dynamic and competitive marketplace, businesses need to drive growth to remain competitive. One way to achieve this is through information technology (IT) architecture. IT architecture is a formal description of a company’s business operations, the business applications and databases that support them, and the equipment and services that run the applications [1]. A complete IT architecture has six layers, including business processes, applications, data, technology, security, and management [1].
Small and Medium businesses (SMBs) can benefit from IT architecture by using it to drive business growth. By creating a blueprint of their IT infrastructure, SMBs can identify areas where they can cut costs and reduce complexity [1]. This can help them optimize their IT operations and improve their overall efficiency.
Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a type of IT architecture that can help businesses to drive growth. EA is a strategic approach to IT architecture that aligns IT with business goals and objectives [3]. It can help businesses identify areas where they can invest in IT to drive growth and improve their competitive position [2].
To drive business growth from an IT architecture perspective, businesses should consider the following:
1. Collaboration between IT and business leaders: Bringing IT and business leaders together can help to rationalize business applications and processes, as well as the core IT infrastructure and operations [1]. This can help to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
2. Investing in architects and architecture: Investing in architects and architecture can help to evolve the IT function into a competitive differentiator in the digital economy [6].
3. Recognizing the learning acquired in each of the architecture stages: Recognizing the learning acquired in each of the architecture stages can help firms invest wisely and maximize benefits ranging from faster IT response [2].
4. Designing operating models in layers: Operating models should be designed in layers with just the right level of details useful for the given stakeholder [4].
In conclusion, IT architecture is a powerful tool that businesses can use to drive growth in a competitive market. SMBs can benefit from IT architecture by using it to optimize their IT operations and improve their overall efficiency. EA is a strategic approach to IT architecture that can help businesses to identify areas where they can invest in IT to drive growth and improve their competitive position. By collaborating between IT and business leaders, investing in architects and architecture, recognizing the learning acquired in each of the architecture stages, and designing operating models in layers, businesses can drive growth from an IT architecture perspective.
Destiny Young, MSc (Cand), Nexford University
An IT/Technology Infrastructure Engineer,
Writes from Port Harcourt
