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Enterprise Software: Hybrid Approach to Business Architecture
The phrase “Enterprise Architecture” by definition seems to imply a framework that spans all aspects of the enterprise. And most conversations about what an enterprise architecture should look like assume that the enterprise ultimately standardizes on a single universally adopted approach. But in a new report, Gartner says that’s not what’s happening. Because every organization is different, organizations are finding that often a hybrid approach of multiple architectures makes the most sense.
In fact, Gartner estimates that by 2015 95 percent of organizations will be using a hybrid approach. Betsy Burton, Gartner distinguished analyst, said “The reality is that most organisations do not apply a single approach to enterprise architecture in a pure form. Rather, they use a number of different approaches in different areas, resulting in a blended reality that truly meets the needs of their business.”
Julie Short, research director at Gartner, added that “The key is to create, not the perfect or most elegant architecture for the moment, but the most adaptable architecture for the future.”
Gartner identifies four categories of architectures:
Traditional Strategy-driven architecture that is highly prescriptive. Works well in organizations that are centralized in command and have steady progressive change. Works less well in dynamic fast-change environments where decision making is distributed.
Federated Used in environments where business units are allowed a limited amount of autonomy in making decisions while still being bound to some amount of core enterprise-wide decision making.
Managed-Diversity Allows much greater autonomy across the organization. It attempts to achieve innovation, business growth and competitive advantage by supporting a diversity of solutions. The approach shifts some responsibility directly to users and teams.
Middle-Out This approach creates highly autonomous units usually based around a product or technology. A loose coupling is then architected at the enterprise level to connect the various units together. This approach, decentralizes decision making and enables innovation via bottom-up diversity.
