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Uniting Business And It

Executive Summary
Enterprises are increasing their dependence on their information
technology applications and infrastructure. As a result, the IT applications
and infrastructure are now regarded as primary business assets, and
non-IS/IT senior business leaders such as CxOs and line of business
managers are becoming involved in IT application and infrastructure
buying decisions. In many enterprises, these business managers do not
understand the technical possibilities, and the IT managers do not
understand the business goals.
The cultural divide between the business managers and IS/IT managers
causes a knowledge-gap that becomes a source of great conflict, putting
pressure on business initiatives and technical imperatives. Unfortunately,
most enterprise applications, infrastructures and information services are
not flexible enough to keep pace with the requirements of dynamic
business opportunities. In this paper,we explore new concepts,
techniques and methodologies in solution architecture used to create an
atmosphere of cooperation. Through this atmosphere of cooperation, we
unite business and IS/IT, enabling the IT applications and infrastructure
to be strategic weapons that increase business performance.
Introduction
Enterprises are increasing their dependence
on their information applications and
infrastructures to conduct core business
activities. Information applications and
infrastructures facilitate the multi-directional
collection and distribution of critical business
information. Recent research studies verify
that CxO and line-of-business managers are
now involved in making information applications
and infrastructure solution decisions.
These managers are passionate about the
business information itself, rather than the
information technology. Successful decisions
that promote opportunistic business success
involve the consideration of a wide range of
emotional, technical, organizational, financial,
workflow and...