Aggregated enterprise architecture wisdom
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Is convenience even more fundamental to an enterprise than either efficiency or effectiveness? That’s the curve-ball that Nick Gall threw to me, in a comment on my earlier post ‘Efficient versus effective‘. It’s quite a long comment (and, unfortunately, quite…
Do away with architectural models. What we need to see is the essence of architecture, which is something we realise in software: a mirror of the enterprise. The idea is not new. It has always been surprising (and, to be honest, somewhat frustrating) that is hasn’t been picked up as I thought it would. And […]
What is efficiency? From whose perspective? Just a quick follow-on to the previous post ‘Efficient versus effective‘, with a couple of insights that came up just after I’d published it. First is that the distinction between efficient and effective is often…
What is ‘efficiency’? – in particular, ‘efficiency’ in any system that’s subject to real-world variances? Starting-point for this one was yet another passing item in my Twitterstream: RT @MentalHealthCop: If providers are contractually obliged to run hospitals at 98% capacity, is…
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No doubt about it, Big Data is big business. Big Data has certainly captured the imagination and wallets of business executives everywhere. In fact, Gartner estimates that Big Data drove $34 billion in worldwide IT spending last year.* With that kind of money being spent, it’s probably safe to say Big Data is a big deal.
That said, I’m sure you are familiar with all of the old adages about BIG versus LITTLE. You know the sayings… “Less is sometimes more,” “Good things come in small packages,” or even “A little bit goes a long way.” These time-tested sayings hold a lot of truth – even when it comes to data.
I have to admit, I find the current attraction to Big Data kind of amusing – here’s why. One of the most common red flags raised when I talk to industry professionals about our Enterprise Portfolio Management (EPM) solution is concern about the difficulty associated with gathering ALL that data. After all, data collection is hard and time-consuming. Most companies have a tough enough time figuring out where the data lives, much less how to gather it in a meaningful way. So why is Big Data so big? And is bigger always better when it comes to data that impacts your decision making processes?
Despite all the buzz around Big Data, it’s essential to understand that answering some of the business’ most important questions actually doesn’t require a lot of data. In fact, I would venture to say the answers to some of the most important questions only require “just enough data.” Using Troux’s EPM solutions “just enough data” can provide the insights needed to ensure the enterprise is correctly architected to maximize revenues, reduce costs and increase competitive agility. “Just enough data” can help business leaders better understand the cost of change, impact of change and benefit of change before significant investments are made.
Because we focus on “just enough data,” our clients get answers sooner and see results more quickly. Simply stated, “just enough data” can yield just as much benefit when compared to what companies seek to achieve with Big Data.
Don’t get me wrong. There is a time and a place for everything, and it is hard to ignore the virtues and promise of the untapped insights that Big Data is positioned to deliver. But in the midst of all the Big Data hype and hoopla, let’s make sure we remember, big things can be done with “just enough data” as well.
Want to know more about gleaning “just enough data” from your enterprise? Read how CHEP started their EPM program by putting together a simple catalog of applications and technologies. That easy-to-compile list of information sets them up for continued success in their quest to see the big picture.
To read the full CHEP case study, click here.
*http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2200815
We already have too many predefined frameworks for enterprise architecture, and that a better approach is to create the frameworks you need as and when you need them, starting from a small set of fundamental factors that are critical for effective EA. So why is this Cutter Advisor about yet another EA framework, and especially…
This paper – eGovernment – Success or Failu […]
The term strategy is perhaps one of the most misused, and misunderstood concepts in business literature. On the one hand it is referred to with a connotation of long term planning (i.e., strategy tactics operations) and on the other it may refer to …
Today’s business architects play a variety of roles. Some are already delivering on the vision of business architecture. Others are on their way, rapidly working their way up the value contribution ladder. Still others have a smaller vision for business architecture and are happy working at a lower level of value contribution. One of the […]
For the past few months I have been busy helping Retail, Financial Services and Public Sector on their Digital, Multi-Channel and E-Commerce Transformation programs. Very early on in such transformation challenge, defining the business case for change …
For the past few months I have been busy helping Retail, Financial Services and Public Sector on their Digital, Multi-Channel and E-Commerce Transformation programs. Very early on in such transformation challenge, defining the business case for change …