Enterprise Architecture Practice Group
Doing Enterprise Architecture - together
The JISC Enterprise Architecture Practice Group is a new network for practitioners and managers from higher and further education institutions who are using, adopting or interested in the Enterprise Architecture (EA) approach to support strategic change and improvement. Its aim is to help institutions and their EA champions move more rapidly and successfully in 'doing EA', by sharing knowledge, experience and challenges from real projects.
With EA inextricably linked to strategic innovation and change, the Practice Group is an integral part of the JISC Flexible Service Delivery (FSD) Programme and is supporting the programme's Strategic Technologies Group (STG) projects as well as HE and FE institutions specifically building and applying EA capability. As such, Enterprise Architecture is an important strand in providing structure, process and governance to projects.
The EA Practice group follows a successful pilot project in 2008 involving four institutions and collaboration with The Open Group and the Dutch SURF community, which demonstrated the potential value from 'Doing EA' in collaboration.
The guiding principle of the Practice Group is the road to value - the journey from initial exploration to impact on the organisation and professional maturity. Like any kind of change process, investment in EA must deliver a measurable impact on strategic priorities and performance indicators. By sharing experience, the first benefits can be seen within twelve months from starting.
We're supported by an expert coordinator as part of the FSD Programme Support and Synthesis Project. To take part or find out more please contact us.
Work Programme
Besides sharing knowledge and experience the Practice Group will commission and organise work to help members progress along the road to value. The workplan covers three main areas:
- Information, Knowledge and Wisdom: the repository of publications, case studies, blogs, networking and models
- Frameworks, Techniques and Tools: Governance, engaging management and maturity assessments
- Skills Training and Guidance: from an Introduction to EA to architecture framework and modelling training
Most work items are led by interested members through small working groups, which all members will be able to follow through the forthcoming Practice Group wiki.
What's on When?
Browse current and past workshops, training and conferences and their documents.
Who can take part, and how?
Any higher or further education institution in the UK can take part directly, on their own or as part of a consortium. Currently institutions in England and Wales can bid for funding under the JISC FSD Programme. We also welcome collaboration with other public organisations and consortia exploring or adopting the Enterprise Architecture approach.
Institutions can take part through Explorer, Pathfinder or Pilot Projects, corrresponding to the Explorer, Adopter and Implementer stages of the EA Road to Value. Explorers are mostly following, researching learning ahead of deciding whether to do Enterprise Architecture, though we will recommend you document the issues drivers that lie behind your interest. Adopters and Implementers should work to a more through plan, aimed at addressing a significant priority for the institutions or group of institutions, whether you receive funding or not. All members have full access to the practice group network, support group ands specialist consultants, trainers and project mentors.
Where do I start?
If you are interested in joining the group get in touch. We'll be glad to discuss the options and opportunities and introduce you to members doing similar work; and meet with you if you want to discuss participation in detail. There is also a large and growing body of information and collective wisdom to browse through with case studies, reports and individual projects and blogs. Or contact anyone in the EA Practice Group and the wider FSD Programme who look like they have relevant experience.
What help is available?
The Coordinator and Support Group have a wide range of skills and contacts in EA, management, change, modelling, standards and engaging management and faculty colleagues within the JISC community ad the wide global EA community. Workshops, training sessions and conferences organised by JISC are normally free to attend. We will also introduce professional support organisations who have a commitment to the community and our goals.
