Result

In an era where adaptability and innovation are crucial, the concept of architecture vision represents a modern approach that contrasts with traditional target architecture. Organizations need to make their structures flexible, adaptable, and responsive to innovation. The architecture vision is a strategic orientation that supports the business strategy, shapes the architecture principles and provides a clear direction for development. Its implementation promotes transparency, communication and a common understanding within the organization, which optimally aligns resources and promotes innovation.

The CBA Lab's Architecture Vision working group has produced a white paper that achieves a deeper understanding of architecture vision by providing a detailed analysis of its fundamentals. It provides a comprehensive overview of the definition, role and key drivers of the architecture vision, while also addressing the relevant stakeholders, critical success factors, potential challenges, and practical use cases.

In the second part, the whitepaper focuses on the practical development, implementation and operationalization of the architecture vision. It highlights a sustained and iterative development process, discusses integration within the organization and shows how the architecture vision can be operationalized. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of a governance model to ensure the successful implementation of the architecture vision.

Our key findings can be summarized as following:

• Architecture vision is a strategic guideline that serves as a north star for further architecture development. It comprises a well-founded analysis, supported by relevant artifacts, and creates a clear orientation for decisions, priorities and long-term organizational goals.
• Architecture vision should set explicit and clear goals that provide a common direction and align with the organization's strategy. These goals must be feasible and in line with the organization's capabilities and constraints.
• The development and implementation of the architecture vision requires the close involvement of stakeholders and efficient collaboration. Clear communication and cooperation between the various stakeholders are essential.
• Architecture vision should be integrated into the organizational context to ensure long-term alignment and effectiveness. Different types of organizations and enterprise architecture models influence the architecture vision and the way in which architecture decisions are made and implemented.
• An effective governance model is crucial to support the architecture vision and ensure its successful implementation. Regular reviews and integration into existing governance frameworks are necessary to maintain consistency and guarantee compliance with the architecture vision.

Through comprehensive insights and best practices, this whitepaper serves as a guide for organizations looking to leverage their architecture vision to drive innovation and strengthen their strategic alignment. It provides valuable direction in designing, implementing, and operationalizing a future-oriented architecture.