<p>This project will seek to determine the extent to which organizations are today making use of Business and IT Architectures to guide their operational, tactical and strategic decision-making. We will do this primarily through case examples, through which we will develop points of view and recommendations on good practice in this critical area. Another primary aim of the project is to demystify the concept of 'Service Oriented Architectures' and to determine their real-world relevance and impact.</p>
<p><strong>Key questions</strong></p>
<p>The project seeks answers to the following questions:</p>
<ul>
<li>How have Business and IT Architectures evolved from their original technology focus in the 1960s, through their coverage of data and applications in later years, to today's emphasis on business processes and overall business structures?</li>
<li>Where have Architectures played an active role in guiding organizations' operational, tactical and strategic decision-making (and where they have failed to do so)?</li>
<li>How can Business and IT Architectures provide support for merger, acquisition and divestment strategies?</li>
<li>What are the implications and real-world impact of Service Oriented Architectures (SOA), organizational layering and business process management?</li>
<li>How do Business and IT Architectures relate to Business/IT Strategy, IT Portfolio Management, Programme Management, Risk Management and IT Governance, as well as observable trends such as the Consumerization of IT?</li>
<li>Which organizational capabilities, methods and tools are needed to support effective deployment of Business and IT Architectures?<br /></li>
</ul>
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