Enterprise Architecture as Language

On the Verge of Major Business Re-Engineering " Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. " — Albert Einstein Seven years ago the senior leadership at SIL International (see Chart 1), a not-for-profit whose purpose is to facilitate language-based development among the peoples of the world, determined that it was time to build an integrated Enterprise Information System. There were three precipitating factors: mission critical IT systems were almost twenty years old and on the verge of obsolescence, their landscape was dotted with dozens of silo systems, and commitments to new strategic directions demanded significant business re-engineering. John Zachman made a site visit to help launch an enterprise architecture initiative. SIL learned from him that architecture (see Chart 2) is the age-old discipline that makes it possible for humankind to construct complex systems. If an organization wants to build something that is highly complex in such a way that what the builder builds is aligned with what the owner actually has in mind (whether it be a skyscraper, an airplane, or an information system), then it needs a designer to create a complete set of blueprints to which all the stakeholders agree and against which all will work. Perhaps even more important in this age of increasingly rapid change is that architecture is the discipline that makes it possible for an organization to maintain a highly complex system once it is operational. Before the functioning building or airplane or information system can safely, efficiently, and effectively be changed, it is necessary for the owner, designer, and builder Chart 1: What is SIL International? Š SIL is a not-for-profit, academic, faith-based organization committed to the empowerment of indigenous communities worldwide through language development efforts. Š SIL is focused on the role of language and culture in effective development. Š By facilitating language-based development, SIL International serves the peoples of the world through research, translation, and literacy. Š Since its founding in 1934 SIL has worked in 1,800 languages, in 70 countries, and grown to a team of 5,000 from 60 countries. 2 to first make the changes on the blueprints and come to agreement that the proposed changes will achieve what the owner wants and can be implemented by the builder. Nothing So Practical As Good Theory " In the case of information and communication technologies … investments in associated intangible capital … are …