Phase E: Opportunities and Solutions


Objectives | Approach | Inputs | Steps | Outputs

This chapter is a checkpoint to verify suitability for implementation.



Figure: Phase E: Opportunities and Solutions

Objectives

The objectives of Phase E are to:

Approach

Phase E identifies the parameters of change, the major phases along the way, and the top-level projects to be undertaken in moving from the current environment to the target. The output of Phase E will form the basis of the Implementation Plan required to move to the Target Architecture. This phase also attempts to identify new business opportunities arising from the architecture work in previous phases.

Sometimes the process of identifying implementation opportunities allows a business to identify new applications, and in this case it may be necessary to iterate between Phase E and previous phases. Iteration must be limited by time or money to avoid wasting effort in the search for a perfect architecture.

Phase E is the first phase which is directly concerned with implementation. The task is to identify the major work packages or projects to be undertaken.

An effective way to do this is to use the gap analysis on the business functions between the old environment and the new, created in Phase D. Any functions appearing as "new" items will have to be implemented (developed or purchased and deployed).

Slightly harder to identify are the projects required to update or replace existing functions which must be done differently in the new environment. One of the options to be considered here is leaving an existing system in place and coexisting with the new environment.

During this final step in the specification of building blocks it must be verified that the organization-specific requirements will be met. Key to this is reason checking against the business scenario driving the scope of the project. It is important to note that the ensuing development process must include recognition of dependencies and boundaries for functions and should take account of what products are available in the marketplace. An example of how this might be expressed can be seen in the building blocks example (Part IV: Resource Base , Building Blocks).

Coexistence appears on the surface to be easy. After all, the original system is left in place, largely unchanged. Unfortunately, it is not always as easy as it looks. The main problems with coexistence are:

The most successful strategy for Phase E is to focus on projects that will deliver short-term pay-offs and so create an impetus for proceeding with longer-term projects.

Inputs

Inputs to Phase E are:

Steps

Key steps in Phase E include:

  1. Identify the key business drivers constraining the sequence Key Business Drivers Constraining Sequence of implementation (for example, Implementation

    Examples are reduction of costs, consolidation of services, introduction of new customer services, etc.). etc.

  2. Review the gap analysis generated in Gap Analysis from Phase D. D
  3. Brainstorm technical requirements Technical Requirements from a functional perspective. Functional Perspective
  4. Brainstorm co-existence Co-existence and interoperability requirements. Interoperability Requirements
  5. Perform architecture assessment Architecture Assessment and gap analysis. Gap Analysis
  6. Identify major work packages Major Work Packages or projects, and classify Projects

    Classify these as new development, purchase opportunity, or re-use of existing system.

Outputs

The outputs of Phase E are:


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