As businesses grow, their operations and IT systems become more complex. Keeping everything aligned and efficient is a challenge. This is where Enterprise Architecture (EA) comes in. EA helps ensure that a company’s business goals and IT systems work well together. But not every company has the resources to build a dedicated EA team. That’s where Enterprise Architecture as a Service (EAaaS) steps in, offering expert architecture services without the need to hire an in-house team.
Let’s explore why building an EA team from scratch is difficult, and how EAaaS can be a smart solution.
The Challenge: Managing Complex IT Systems
As companies grow, they adopt new technologies, systems, and tools to stay competitive. Unfortunately, these additions often lead to complex IT environments, where systems overlap, don’t communicate well, or simply become outdated. This can result in:
• Inefficiencies: Too many systems doing the same job.
• High costs: Maintaining old or unnecessary technologies.
• Slow innovation: Complex systems make it hard to adapt to new opportunities.
• Compliance risks: Lack of standardized processes can lead to regulatory problems.
To address these issues, companies need strong Enterprise Architecture to guide their IT strategy and align it with business goals. But building an EA team is no easy task.
Why It’s Hard to Build an EA Team from Scratch
There are several reasons why creating an in-house EA team from the ground up is a major challenge:
1. Finding the Right People
Enterprise Architects need a unique mix of skills. They must:
• Understand both business strategy and IT systems.
• Be able to think long-term and plan for the future.
• Communicate well across departments, influencing decisions even if they don’t have direct authority.
Finding individuals with this broad skill set is difficult. And even when you find the right people, they are in high demand, which drives up costs.
2. Takes a Long Time to Get Going
When you build a new EA team, it takes time before they can deliver real value. New hires need to:
• Learn how your business operates.
• Understand your existing IT systems.
• Build relationships with different departments to gain trust and influence decisions.
This ramp-up period can be long, and it often leads to frustration if there are no quick results. In the meantime, your organization continues to deal with inefficiencies and rising costs.
3. It’s Expensive
Enterprise Architects are some of the highest-paid professionals in IT. Building an EA team means offering competitive salaries, plus the cost of ongoing training, tools, and development. Many organizations, especially small or mid-sized ones, struggle to justify these high costs.
4. Alignment Between Business and IT Is Hard
One of the most important goals of EA is to ensure that IT systems support business goals. But building a new EA team often comes with challenges such as:
• Lack of leadership support: EA initiatives can be sidelined if leadership doesn’t see the immediate value.
• Resistance to change: Some departments may be hesitant to adopt new processes or tools.
• Communication issues: EA teams need to explain complex IT concepts to business leaders and vice versa. If communication isn’t clear, misunderstandings can slow progress.
5. Constant Learning and Adaptation
Technology is always changing. New trends, like cloud computing or artificial intelligence, require EA teams to continuously update their knowledge. Internal teams can get bogged down with daily tasks and lose sight of the bigger picture. Keeping up with new developments requires time, effort, and money.
6. Scaling the Team is Difficult
As your business grows, your EA needs grow too. An in-house EA team might struggle to handle different departments’ needs or operate in multiple regions. You might face periods of high demand where the team is stretched thin or periods of low demand where they’re underutilized, but still on the payroll.
How EAaaS Solves These Problems
Enterprise Architecture as a Service (EAaaS) offers a flexible and scalable solution to these challenges. Rather than building an expensive in-house team, companies can partner with an EAaaS provider to get the expertise they need. Here’s how EAaaS solves the key problems:
1. Access to Expertise: EAaaS providers bring in highly skilled architects with deep knowledge of both IT and business strategy. They are experienced in using industry-leading tools and best practices.
2. Cost-Effective: You don’t have to bear the cost of full-time salaries, benefits, and training. With EAaaS, you only pay for the services you need, when you need them.
3. Faster Results: EAaaS providers are ready to jump in and start working immediately. They already understand how to analyze complex systems, so the ramp-up time is much shorter than building an internal team.
4. Strategic Alignment: EAaaS teams are experts at aligning IT and business strategies. They can help bridge the gap between different departments and ensure that your technology supports your long-term business goals.
5. Scalability: EAaaS allows you to scale up or down as needed. If you have a big project, you can quickly add more resources. If things slow down, you can reduce your EAaaS services to fit your needs.
6. Staying Current: EAaaS providers keep up with the latest trends in technology and business. They bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions that help you stay competitive and future-proof your organization.
Recommendations for Success
To make the most out of EAaaS, consider these tips:
• Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve with Enterprise Architecture. Whether it’s cutting costs, improving efficiency, or driving innovation, having a clear focus ensures you get the best results.
• Choose the Right EAaaS Partner: Look for a provider with experience in your industry and a strong track record. They should offer flexible services that can adapt to your changing needs.
• Engage Key Stakeholders: Ensure that leadership and key departments are involved in the EA efforts. This helps gain buy-in and align everyone’s efforts.
• Measure Success: Track the outcomes of your EA initiatives, such as reduced system redundancies or cost savings. This will help justify continued investment in EAaaS.
Conclusion
Building an in-house Enterprise Architecture team can be expensive, time-consuming, and difficult. It requires finding the right talent, keeping up with new technologies, and aligning IT with business goals. For many organizations, Enterprise Architecture as a Service (EAaaS) is a better option. EAaaS provides access to expert architects, helps you stay agile, and offers a cost-effective solution to manage your complex IT systems. By leveraging EAaaS, businesses can streamline their operations, reduce costs, and stay ahead of the competition.
