Architecture standards: Wrap-up and summary

This is the last in a series of postings on Architecture standards. Throughout the series we covered architecture standards from various angles ranging from business value, implementation aspects, and the operation of an effective architecture standards management practice. In this posting we will give a short summary and list the essential take-away messages from this series.

Architecture standards: Governance

This is the sixth posting in a series on architecture standards. In previous postings we discussed the standards terminology, the documentation of architecture standards as well as the embedding in the organization and the life cycle of architecture standards. In this posting we pick up the thread and dive into the governance of standards.

Architecture standards: Life cycle

This is the fifth posting in a series on architecture standards. In previous postings we discussed the standards terminology and the documentation of architecture standards as well the embedding of the standards practice in the organization. In this posting we discuss the life cycle of standards.

Architecture standards: Embedding

This is the fourth posting in a series on architecture standards. In previous postings we discussed the standards terminology and the documentation of architecture standards. In this posting we pick up the thread and dive into the embedding of the standards practice in the organization. As mentioned in the introduction, well defined architecture standards do not live in solitude. The relationship between similar concepts in other parts of the organization, such as corporate strategy, policies, tech standards etc. should exist and maintained. The “art” of embedding is an important topic, because the linkages are essential but could easily lead to a rigid and complex system, inhibiting its effectiveness.

Architecture standards: Documentation

This is the third posting in a series on architecture standards. In the previous posting we presented some basic terminology. Most importantly, we distinguished between standard rules, and standard components. In this posting we pick up the thread and zoom in on the documentation of standards. In order to do so, we kick off this post with an analysis of how/ where standards are used, and “derive” a template from that.

Architecture standards: Terminology

In the previous posting we have explained the benefits of having a good standards practice in place, especially in the context of enterprise architecture. In this posting we set the scene for our framework on standards management by introducing terminology that we will use throughout this series. This terminology has been tried and tested in practice, in both business and IT-related settings. We have found that standardized terminology around standards management greatly improved effectiveness of our work.

Architecture standards: intro and overview

Standards management plays an important role in many aspects of organizations. It is frequently seen as a way to improve costing structures, governance, IT-efficiency et cetera. Setting up a good standards practice is by no means simple and straight forward, though. 

This is the first in a series of postings on Architecture standards. The series consist of seven postings each covering a different aspect of the subject. In this first posting we will explore why an organization would care about architecture standards in the first place, and also what value a good architecture standards practice can bring to the table. For the content of this series we base ourselves partly on theory from architecture frameworks such as TOGAF , documented best practices, and our own practical experience and lessons drawn from several engagements with client organizations in which we helped building an effective architecture standards practice.