Principles and Practices in IT Strategy and Architecture

Introduction

Only a few years ago, executives and board members primarily operated within traditional frameworks, often thinking outside the box when necessary. However, due to rapid changes and increasing pressure from investors, rethinking business models and systems has become essential. Although digitalization and the concept of digital twins have made progress in some industries, they have not yet been fully utilized in many others. This lag underscores the need to reexamine IT strategies, architecture, principles, and best practices.

This course on IT strategy, architecture, principles, and best practices is designed to enable leaders to effectively integrate technology management into the core activities of their organizations. It will help them define and bridge the gap between the current IT function—covering strategy, structure, people, processes, and technology—and the organization's desired future state.

The course will also focus on developing a global operational blueprint with the appropriate level of detail to ensure alignment with key milestones and the achievement of those milestones.

Objectives

By the end of this IT strategy course, participants will be able to:

• Recognize the key principles of Enterprise Architecture, its structure, and its overall purpose.
• Construct a system where commercial drivers support IT enterprise goals, achieving business and technology alignment.
• Assist the organization in making informed decisions on choosing appropriate models and frameworks that meet current needs.
• Identify the state of governance and legal matters concerning IT strategy and Enterprise Architecture.
• Understand the current state of Enterprise Architecture and anticipate its future trajectory within their organization.
• Apply management techniques to prevent the escalation of commercial issues.
• Utilize digitalization to enhance IT strategy and Enterprise Architecture.
• Create and adopt digital twins of the organization's IT systems.

Training Method

• Blended Learning
  • Pre-Course Preparation
  • Online Modules
  • In-Person Workshops
• Business Scenarios
• Interactive Lectures
• Team Discussions and Sticky Notes
• Real-World Case Studies
• Simulations and Role-Playing
• Guest Speakers
• Assessment and Feedback
• Capstone Project
• Resources and Post-Course Support

Course Outline

Unit 1: Subjects of Controversy, Architect as a Professional, Architecture Thought and Practice

• Architects and IT Architecture
• Architecture and Strategy in Context
• Architecture Domains and Problems
• Architecture Framework Components
• User-Centricity

Unit 2: Challenges of Enabling Digitalization Using EA

• Definitions of Terms and Domains
• Framework and Principles for Developing Enterprise Architecture
• Governance, Products, and Interfaces for Enterprise Architectures
• Strategy of EA Digitalization
• Enterprise Architecture Managing Aspects
• Choosing Enterprise Architecture Frameworks: TOGAF, Zachman Framework, RUP/EUP, DoDAF, MODAF, AGATE, FEA, CEAF, NASCIO

Unit 3: Enterprise Architecture Concepts

• Architecture Frameworks and the Discipline of Enterprise Architecture
• Enterprise Architecture Fundamentals and Strategies
• Current State and Future State Architecture
• Gap Analysis: Understanding its Meaning and Scheduling Activity
• Issues of Business and IT/Technology Alignment
• The Framework Dilemma
• Architecture Frameworks: How to Distinguish Among the Types

Unit 4: Information Architecture and Digital Twins

• Initiate a Model of the Digital Twin of IT Architecture
• Digital Twins in Manufacturing
• Tools for Data Management
• Tools for Information Management
• Architecture Defining Approaches (Business, System, and Technical)
• Addressing Contemporary Challenges: Service-Oriented and Model-Based Approaches to Systems Architecture
• Complete the Design, Avoiding Mistakes Along the Way
• Integration Systems, Middleware, and Architecture

Unit 5: What Drives the Future in IT Strategy

• Matching IT Requirements with Business Problems
• Manufacturing IoT Digital Twin
• Regulatory Framework and Legal Issues
• Customer Journey and Customer Interaction Simulation
• The Role of Digital Twin in Enterprise Architecture