Posts by: Eric A. Stephens

Soft Skills, Leadership, and now Empathy

A recent post () by @mikejwalker on a new Soft Skills course by Architecting the Enterprise rightly points out the importance of soft skills for the EA discipline. I think this is a great addition to the profession and shows formal recognition of…

RACI Matrices, EA Charters, and Surgical Suites

In another moment of (over) thinking enterprise architecture, I was comparing the surgical suite to a project team. I'll define a team as a committee, or other ad-hoc group of individuals engaged in a particular task. While the surgical team has many…

Basic is Best

Fellow foodies will recognize the recent movement towards "farm-to-table" restaurants. These venues attempt to simplify their menus and source ingredients as close to the source as possible. I had the opportunity to dine at such a restaurant the other evening. I was…

Current State EA: Focus on the Integration!!!

A recent project has me at the front end of a large implementation effort covering multiple software components. In addition to the challenges of integrating 15-20 separate and new software components there is the challenge of integrating the portfolio into an existing…

New Papers from the OEA Practice

I wanted to make you aware of  several white papers recently authored by my colleagues here at Oracle. I hope you find them helpful in your own EA related activities. Lessons Learned in Large Scale Transformations by Hamidou Dia. This article summarizes our…

Tools of the Trade

So recently my buddy over at OTN Bob Rhubart asked, “What tool or tools are indispensable in your role as an architect? When faced with a new project what's the first thing you reach for? Why?”. I instantly protested regarding the brevity…

Tools of the Trade

So recently my buddy over at OTN Bob Rhubart asked, “What tool or tools are indispensable in your role as an architect? When faced with a new project what's the first thing you reach for? Why?”. I instantly protested regarding the brevity…

Focusing on Business Outcomes through Design

Whether we design paintings, buildings, or the functions of an enterprise, the element of design comes into play. The drivers for any design effort boil down to realizing business outcomes. Nothing more, nothing less. Two recent articles I found resonated with me…

Focusing on Business Outcomes through Design

Whether we design paintings, buildings, or the functions of an enterprise, the element of design comes into play. The drivers for any design effort boil down to realizing business outcomes. Nothing more, nothing less. Two recent articles I found resonated with me…

Its always about the business (or mission)

So yesterday the follow-worthy @chrisonea lobs this question on Twitter: Is there any circumstance under which IT should build a thing without a business purpose? I emphatically answered, NO. Here's why. Long ago when the last of the punch card machines were dispatched to…

Its always about the business (or mission)

So yesterday the follow-worthy @chrisonea lobs this question on Twitter: Is there any circumstance under which IT should build a thing without a business purpose? I emphatically answered, NO. Here's why. Long ago when the last of the punch card machines were dispatched to…

Incremental Progress in (EA) Strategy Execution

I hate watching sports. Period. Except curling where I am confused yet fascinated all at the same time. Despite my aversion, I can still see lessons for EAs and those executing strategy. So here goes... Consider soccer and (American) football. In soccer, patterns…
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