Having stored, connected and communicated information in our data store for sharing, we now go further and use the information in ways that enables people within the organization to collaborate. Organizations around the globe are seeking smarter ways of enabling people within and across departments, functions and teams to work together. As a part of our Business Architecture initiative, we are helping deliver on that need.

In the previous step, we talked of communication – this was about telling people what information was available. Here we are talking about consumption of information – getting them to use it. The distinction is important as it has been a point of failure for architecture initiatives in the past. There is no point in collecting, collating and communicating if people do not make use of what is available. In order to aid this consumption we need to think differently about how we serve up the information. We need to ensure that we are able to provide the information people might want, in the format they want it and at the time they want it. In this respect we are the servants and they are the masters. If they want information via the Web or a portal, this is what we provide. If they want the data “pushed” to their iPad® or Smartphone®, then we do this too. We should always remember it is their information – we are simply helping to look after it and to help them join the dots.

It is worth stating at this point that our perception of the Business Architecture function is that it is there to assist and support, not to govern or mandate. This may be one of the biggest differences when compared to traditional architectural approaches, where “architects” specify solutions. In this model, architects are just another group of users who consume and contribute to the information.

Business Value: Ensures everyone is playing on the same team and contributing to the corporate knowledge base.

Next week: Step 5 – Control & Comply