IT architecture

Classification of the articles of: ‘P. Weill, M. Subramani, M. Broadbent (2002). IT infrastructure for
strategic agility’ and ‘J. Ross (2003). Creating a strategic IT architecture competency: learning in stages’

 Main findings of P. Weill, M. Subramani & M. Broadbent:

In this article, the authors discuss about the benefits of investing in an IT infrastructure from a
business perspective. They suggest that IT infrastructures plays a crucial role in the development
and growing of the business. It is also suggested that the creation of this IT infrastructure should be
done by the senior management of the business, being tailored around the strategy, goals and
future objectives of that specific firm. In other words, the IT infrastructure enables the firm to
improve its workflow and make it more efficient and effective. The methodology and reason of the
research is presented in short. Following these the authors introduce and explain the ’10 capability
clusters’ of a typical IT infrastructure. Among this 10 clusters, the IT architecture and standards is
presented, occupying a critical role in this system and is involved in multiple stages of the ‘value net’
positioning. This is defined, according to the authors: ‘a firm’s core set of policies and rules that
direct and govern the use of IT and dictate the way the business will be done in the future.’ Meaning
that the IT architecture represents the guideline on how to operate the business, and it is a subset
of the overall IT infrastructure. As a conclusion the IT infrastructure shows what is the business
trying to achieve, while the IT architecture shows the framework on how to achieve that.

 Main findings of J. Ross:

The article starts by stating that the definition of IT architecture is similar, and used
interchangeably with the definition of IT infrastructure. In fact the two terms are pretty similar. The
IT architecture here is the guideline or the plan of the business. It acts as a tool for aligning IT
capabilities and business strategy which enables critical business processes. When designing an IT
architecture it is also important, according to the article, to define and have a clear understanding of
the firm’s strategic objective, the IT capabilities for enabling those objectives and the policies that
can develop this IT capabilities. Further on, the author divides the IT architecture in 4 different
stages. Each of this stages increases the intensity of the IT architecture imbedded in the business
and they require an increase effort, from both the managers and the IT department, in order to
obtain the optimal benefits of this system. The article ends with 6 lessons that act as a guideline for
companies that want to develop a correct and efficient IT architecture, which will enable them to
develop and grow in the future.

 Common elements:

The 2 articles presented treat more or less the same subject, the importance of IT architecture
or IT infrastructure for business development. The two terms are similarly defined and act as a
guideline for firms to follow their business strategy. Both articles suggest that this is a matter of the
top level management of the business and that there should be a close connection of the managers
involved and the IT department of that business. This is so that every party is aware of the overall
goal and direction that needs to be followed. Finally, the main idea of the 2 articles is that firms that
 choose to develop an IT architecture or IT infrastructure, and do so in a correct and efficient matter,
will eventually develop and grow which will ultimately lead to increase of future profits.

 Distinct elements

While similar in subject matter, the two articles still have some distinct elements. One main
difference is the way in which the structure of the IT architecture or IT infrastructure is presented. In
the first article is showed as a complex system whit multiple elements that come into place in
different stages of the implementation process, while on the second article the system is presented
rather as step-by-step one, with each step coming after another. Perhaps another difference is the
methodology chose by each of the authors. In the first article being closet to a meta-analysis, while
in the second article a more theoretical approach was chosen.

 Conclusion

Finally, as a conclusion I would say that a clear definition for IT architecture or IT infrastructure
cannot be clearly defined, but if I were to choose one it would probably be this: ‘A guideline that
helps managers to follow and construct a business strategy by providing improved processes,
policies and data management all by being more efficient and effective.

Tudor Rucareanu

S3574814