Collaborative Enterprise Architecture Governance

by Jeff Scott

The number one predictor of enterprise architecture (EA) program success can be found in the structure and operation of the architecture governance process. Traditional governance models founded on assessment and enforcement foster an adversarial relationship between architects and the very constituents they are chartered to serve. This relationship often grows to a point at which the EA team is no longer effective and is either ignored or disbanded. On the other hand, governance models founded on inclusion and collaboration produce higher levels of consensus, strengthen the EA program, and produce better architectures. This Executive Update describes the roles and best practices of an inclusive and collaborative EA governance process.