Enterprise Initiatives

This blog focuses on Enterprise IT topics such as Enterprise Architecture, Portfolio Management, Change Management, Business Process Management, and recaps various technology events and news.


I was invited to speak at a forum for IT executives in Detroit this week sponsored by Information Week. The purpose of the forum as described in the agenda goes like this...

This executive breakfast, specifically designed for senior business-technology executives, will explore why the pressure is on IT to help the business transform, and how it can meet those expectations. More than ever before, companies are demanding their CIOs to be strategic thinkers in helping them innovate and operate at peak performance - especially as businesses are under pressure from the poor state of the economy and the ever-faster pace of change in a global market. In this environment, you can't miss this opportunity to gain insight into the tactics and strategy that will help you be on your best game.

I was specifically asked to talk about why transformational IT initiatives like BPM & SOA fail and what advice I would offer to prevent failures from happening. I put together the following presentation which is a combination of some of my previous presentations, Preparing for SOA and SOA & Change.

I wrote a very popular article on CIO.com a while back about the Top 10 reasons why SOA fails. I speak to each of these points in the presentation and present solutions for each. I also discuss using John Kotter's 8-step process for managing change which I highlight in the presentation. Here are my keys for preventing failures.

  1. Plan for and manage organizational change

  2. Key drivers should be business focused not IT focused

  3. Evaluate internal skills and fill gaps. Do not try it without help!

  4. Don't let the vendors drive your architecture. Do your homework.

  5. Grow your governance model over time


Speaking of governance, here is an analogy I like to use...
Implementing SOA without a solid governance model is the equivalent to having an airport without a control tower. Sure, there are some very good planes and talented pilots, but without the proper planning and timely information the end results would be disastrous. So make sure you build a control tower and hire some air traffic controllers!

If you would like me to create and present a custom presentation like this one, feel free to contact me

2 comments

  1. Anonymous  

    Nice post. Very informational.

    Thanks.

  2. Mike Kramer  

    .
    Thank you so much for your article.

    Here's another great resource for anyone interested in Change Management.
    .
    www.onthesystem.com/change

    Download a free copy of the "Managing Change On-The-System. It's a 75 page, step-by-step, visual instruction guide that uses best-practices to achieve your business objectives. The Handbook includes over 80 full color screenshots, tips, worksheets, and more! Best of all, it's free.

    The Handbook is a practical approach to:

    * Business optimization and transformation
    * Organizing the disorganized organization
    * Deploying best-practices from your executive-suite to your front-lines
    * Turn-around management
    * Strategic planning and implementation
    * Team-building and leadership-development
    * Achieving your business objectives ~ fast!

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My favorite sayings

"If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there"

"Before you build a better mouse trap, make sure you have some mice"