EAM consulting: enterprise architecture management for SMEs

What it is about

In enterprise architecture management, I bring business processes, data, applications and technologies together into a consistent architecture. We analyse existing structures, identify potential for improvement and develop a target state that suits your organisation. Proven frameworks such as TOGAF provide guidance along the way.

IT architecture consulting focuses on your IT landscape: flexible, scalable and cost-effective solutions that bring innovation into your workflows while meeting security and compliance requirements – for example in cloud strategies, service-oriented architectures or data management.

A particular focus is on aligning business and IT. Gap analyses, roadmaps and good stakeholder management create a shared understanding with clear priorities.

Typical situations

An IT landscape that has grown over the years without a clear overview
An upcoming cloud migration
Make-or-buy decisions for software
A merger, an acquisition or new business areas
IT security and data protection requirements

How I work

Understand strategy and goalsYour company's vision, mission and goals form the starting point.
Create a capability mapWhich capabilities does your company need – and how well are they supported today?
Capture the as-is architectureApplications, data and interfaces are mapped to the capabilities.
Define the target state and the gapsGap analysis: where does the IT not fit the strategy? Where is it worth building in-house, and where is it better to buy?
Develop a roadmapPrioritised steps with dependencies, risks and owners.

Methods and tools

Capability map
TOGAF
ArchiMate
Object hierarchy
Gap analysis
Roadmapping
Stakeholder management
Make-or-buy analysis

What you receive

Capability map with assessment
Overview of your application landscape
Target architecture
Prioritised implementation roadmap
Workshops and training for your team

Place in the 8-Level Model

EAM is the backbone of the 8-Level Model: it links every capability with processes, organisation, tools and information objects.

Frequently asked questions

What is enterprise architecture management (EAM)?

EAM is a strategic management approach that aligns a company's business strategy, processes, information and IT systems with one another. The aim is to reduce complexity and make the organisation more agile.

Is EAM worthwhile for small and medium-sized enterprises?

Yes, in a lean form. Even a capability map, an overview of your applications and a roadmap prevent bad investments and bring clarity to IT decisions.

What is a capability map?

A capability map shows on a single page what a company must be able to do – regardless of who does it or with which system. It is the common language of senior management, business departments and IT.

Do I have to introduce TOGAF?

No. TOGAF is a comprehensive framework; I use only those elements of it that make sense for your size and your goals.

What is the difference between EAM and TOGAF?

EAM is the management task of aligning strategy, processes, information and IT with one another. TOGAF is a framework of The Open Group with a method (ADM) that provides orientation for this task.

Which EAM tools do I need?

Lean tools are enough to get started. My free EAM tools – the 8EM Modeller with application portfolio and technology radar, an EAM maturity check and an IT survey questionnaire – run in the browser and transmit no data.