Enterprise Architecture Operating Models

Across industry, the pace and frequency of change, combined with significant evolutions in enterprise technology and the widespread adoption of Agile methodologies, have challenged the traditional EA function.

For businesses needing rapid innovation across multiple business lines, the need for responsiveness can often outweigh the benefits of standardisation, whereas in more regulated industries, or in more mature markets less subject to disruption,
‘de-risking’ techniques such as centralised decision-making, conformance to standards and operational efficiencies may be more valuable. All of these are important factors in deciding on the ‘right’ EA model.

The following paper will explore the three primary models for EA: Centralised, Federated and Hybrid, providing a comparison of each, their pros and cons, and some insights based on Konvergent’s experience across industry, taking into consideration factors such as the maturity of the EA function, the ‘mandate’ for Architecture and the drivers for change in different business environments. Finally, we will look at the conditions for selecting each of the three EA Operating Models.