Enterprise architecture as a key element of the ICT strategy
Client name:
Royal Borough of Kensinngton and Chelsea
Date published:
Sun, 20/12/2009
Lead consultant:
Paul Fleming The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) uses Enterprise Architecture Principles as a key component of their IS/ICT strategy.
The council has a programme of activities to cover all aspects of IT. RBKC felt that there was a need to review and analyse the diverse range of applications being used across the council in order to develop a set of enterprise principles that would document current practice and outline the strategic direction of the council. It was also recognised that an ICT Enterprise Architecture must be aligned to the overall business strategy of the Council which would encapsulate the following principles:
- Lean – using technology to reduce costs and improve convenience
- Green – being responsible stewards of the planet
- Keen – caring for customers and employees
Socitm Consulting was engaged to analyse, document and reference the systems currently in use and to cross-reference these against the in-house system to ensure all applications were listed. Our consultant carried out a series of interviews with system owners in all areas across the council.
We found that the original list of systems did not classify or categorise applications. There were over 250 items listed so it was important that they could be grouped in some meaningful way. The first step was to identify the application currently in use. We discovered that the original listing documented each separate module of some applications and whilst this information is useful it gives a level of granularity that is too complex at this stage. The next step was to classify each application into Line of Business (used by a specific business unit), Core Systems (used across multiple business units) and Common Systems (more generic applications used widely throughout the business).
Each application was categorized in terms of function and technology as well as its “business fit” to analyse how well it met the business needs; and “transformation fit” to see how well it could support the Council’s Transformation Agenda. Some areas of duplication of functionality were also highlighted.
By providing RBKC with an Enterprise Application Architecture framework they will be able to identify areas where investment should be concentrated and other areas where duplication needs to be removed and so reduce cost. In addition, the proposed Enterprise Architecture Principles provide a framework to guide and influence future application development projects and procurement decisions to the benefit of the business.
Project identification
Client organisation: London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
Client contact: Marion Sinclair, IS Strategist & Change Manager, 020 7938 8290, marion.sinclair@rbkc.gov.uk
Lead consultant: paul.fleming@socitmconsulting.co.uk
Project no: 6688
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