08.26.10
Oh How Things Have Changed
[Cartoon]
Can you imagine a world without computers, a world without the internet, a world without cell phones, a world without navigation devices? Well, if you can, you are not in the first grade.
Realize that all of those first-graders take all of these technology advancements for granted. Their innovation will result in even greater advancements. If you don’t believe this, remember the previous generations that brought us automobiles, airplanes, telephones, and mass production to name a few. Today’s newest generation simply sees the world as a place to change for the better. Previous generations see the world as a place that has changed and like to talk about, “Remember when?”
Enterprise Architects are particularly challenged by all of the change. They must sort out the good changes from the bad. At the same time, they need to be careful about becoming complacent and preventing the movement towards positive change.
A strong example of a current change where Enterprise Architects need to be taking a leading role is in the use of cloud computing services. This is a good change. It reduces cost and complexity. But, it must be used to the best interest of the business organization.
The Enterprise Architect can show in the enterprise models the best application of this new technology, cloud computing. Enterprise Architects can’t avoid the politics that result from shifting some control away from centralized IT, but, as a third party, they can be impartial.
Now that’s a change worth noting. The Enterprise Architects have no place in centralized IT. They need to stay independent as control of information technology continues its movement towards decentralization, outsourcing, and cloud-based services.
So how do you see the world? Is it a place that has changed or a world full of opportunity?
Enterprise Architects are well-aware of the continuing evolution of technology. They creatively look for technology convergence that can provide breakthroughs in thinking. We are at one of those convergent junctions today. What is about to happen will give non-professional information technologists control of their use of automation in their business. No longer will they simply peer through windows and see only what applications let them see. They will be able to go inside, see how things work, and control their automation. – Enterprise Architects Masters of the Unseen City
Closing the Business / IT gap
