05.29.12
SpaceX Marks the Spot
On May 25th, 2012 a Dragon capsule docked with the International Space Station and proved that the private sector could compete with the government in space. The competition is in the manufacturing of space age components. These included the Dragon capsule and its Falcon launch vehicle. Both of these components were designed, developed, and manufactured by the SpaceX Corporation.
The event is one of major significance. Until now, we have always seen the cost of going into space as an investment in the future. It was challenging and helped to answer questions about the universe that have puzzled man forever. But, there was no expectation for actual benefits that would pay back in the present outside of some secondary value.
The exploration of space has never been financially justified. Only the value of secondary contributions could be identified. We all remember how Tang came to the breakfast table because it was developed for the astronauts. There have been improvements in the development of lightweight materials and porcelains that could withstand enormous heat that have been turned into everyday products in the home. There is also the results of the many science experiments that could only be done in a near weightless condition.
That has all changed with SpaceX. SpaceX is a privately held company. Its investors expect to have payback on their investment in a reasonable amount of time. They expect direct, tangible benefits from customers that are willing to pay. For them it’s a business, not a quest for knowledge.
SpaceX was founded by Elon Musk who is the entrepreneur that founded PayPal and Tesla Motors. He believes that government bureaucracy has driven the price of space exploration up and a lean private sector organization can bring the price down.
Enterprise Architects can learn from this. If they base their existence on the support from their CEO, they are being bureaucratic. They are expecting respect by who brings them to the table rather than by what they bring to the table. It is no wonder that Enterprise Architecture is flourishing today in government organizations and floundering in private sector organizations.
SpaceX is teaching us that the profit motive can drive the most lucrative of investments towards success. Enterprise Architects must understand this and provide the framework for lean development and agility in a changing environment. Their motives must always be for today’s profits as well as for tomorrow’s profits.
Government and bureaucratic processes can be displaced by private organizations when there is a profit motive. Enterprise Architects must align themselves with the profit motive rather than the bureaucratic motive. They need to show a return on investment. They need to present a case for a better way. Even in space where the bureaucrats have reigned, SpaceX is showing us that there can be a better way.
The Enterprise Architects can see what is coming and are already preparing. They know that this will be their time. Corporations will be able to completely focus on their business, and automation will be viewed as an agile enabler. Automation will finally become the self-service contributor that the Corporate Office has always wanted it to be. –Enterprise Architects Masters of the Unseen City
Closing the Business / IT gap.
