Complex Enterprise Architecture: A New Adaptive Systems Approach

by John McDowall

Implement successful and cost-effective enterprise architecture projects. This book provides a new approach to developing enterprise architecture based on the idea of emergent behaviors―where instead of micromanaging system implementation, the enterprise architecture effort establishes clear goals and leaves the details to the implementation teams. System development efforts are measured based on their contribution to achieving business goals instead of implementing specific (possibly outdated) requirements. Most enterprise architecture initiatives employ one of the existing system architecture frameworks such as Zachman or The Open Group Architecture Framework, but these are not well-suited for enterprise architecture in a modern, agile organization. The new approach presented in this book is based on the author’s experience with large enterprise architecture efforts. The approach leverages research into complex adaptive systems and emergent behaviors, where a few simple rules result in complex and efficient enterprise behaviors. Simplifying the task of establishing and maintaining the enterprise architecture cuts the costs of building and maintaining the architecture and frees up those resources for more productive pursuits. System implementers are given the freedom to rapidly adapt to changing user needs without the blessing of the enterprise modeling priesthood, and the architecture is transformed from a static pile of obscure models and documents into an operational framework that can be actively used to manage an enterprise’s resources to better achieve business goals. The enterprise architect is free to stop focusing on building and maintaining models and start focusing on achieving business goals. What You’ll Learn
Who This Book Is For Architecture practitioners and architecture Practitioners are experienced architects who have used existing frameworks such as Zachman, and have experience with formal architecture modeling and/or model-based system engineering; managers are responsible for managing an enterprise architecture project and either have experience with enterprise architecture projects that were ineffective or are looking for a different approach that will be more cost-effective and allow for more organizational agility. Government program managers looking for a different approach to make enterprise architecture more relevant and easier to implement will also find this book of value.

170 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2019

Reviews

[Balamurugan Krishnamoorthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the idea of applying CAS (complex adaptive system ) analogy to EA. I had more expectations after reading first chapter, but, the rest of book didn’t meet that.

I sense that the intent of the author is to provide a new frame of reference to view EA and nothing more. Note that - how to make this work practically is up to the reader (we could say that as emergent behaviour that author is expecting :) ). Do not expect the recipes here .

However, it’s a good place to get nice vantage point to look at - where EA should focus these days compare to traditional model. Although the ideas presented here are not groundbreaking, rather they are reminder on what we should not miss out while we get busy with EA models)

Some illustrations of case studies or example models, would have made this book 4.5 start worth.

[David Carpinteiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book on Enterprise architecture, the author tries to bring a costumized view of how EA can be implemented and achieved in a company, by using not a known framework but based on the authors experience, something he compiled.
He brings a lot of suggestions and references to tools and methodologies, but found the book a bit vague in various parts. Think there's a lot of potential in what the author tries to teach but needs more clear examples, preferably real world.

[Mats Goffhé · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thoughts on how to apply enterprise architecture practices acknowledging the enterprise should, in many aspects, be regarded as a complex adaptive system.