Enterprise Architecture Essay

1) The three key disciplines used to effectively construct a Foundation of Execution are: Operating Model This dictates the level of business process integration and standardization for delivering goods and services to customers. Process Integration depicts the extent to which business units share data and enables end-to-end and a single interface for the customer The Operating Model involves a commitment to how the company will operate Enterprise Architecture This is the organizing logic for business processes and IT infrastructure which reflects the integration and standardization requirements of the company’s operating model. The Enterprise Architecture provides a long term view of a company’s process, systems, and technologies in order to build long term sustainable capabilities. IT Engagement Model The IT Engagement Model is the governance mechanism that ensures business and IT projects achieve both local and companywide objectives. This Model influences projects decisions ensuring that individual solutions are designed according to the enterprise architecture. The IT Engagement Model provides alignment between IT and the business objectives of projects. 2) The Enterprise Architecture communicates the high-level business process and IT requirements of a company’s operating model. This differs from IT Architecture to the degree of granularity that is presented. Enterprise Architecture does not provide the necessary details to map out technical or process design requirements. The IT Architecture developed by the IT unit is a more detailed architecture of applications, data and information, and technology. IT Architecture when developed with a clear understanding of the Enterprise Architecture provides long-term value because they provide the long-term vision for immediate solutions. 3) The current market trends and speed at which technology and the competitive landscape is constantly changes make it difficult for companies  to be able to adapt and survive. Complex Information systems restrain companies from being able to adapt in order to compete or leverage new technology and concepts. Companies without a solid foundation face the following risks: The effects of growing complexity on business operations The pressure that agility places the foundation of execution Role of business discipline in current national and political environments Role of costs in absence of foundation of execution Business agility increasingly depends on a Foundation of Execution. Implementing standardize, digitized processes results in simpler technology environments, lower cost operations and greater agility. 4) An operating model has two dimensions: business process standardization and integration. Companies are characterized into the following Operating Models: Diversification: Low Standardization, Low Integration Coordination: Low Standardization, High Integration Replication: High Standardization, Low Integration Unification: High Standardization, High Integration Examples: a. Unification Model – Delta Airlines Consisted of many IT platforms unable to communicate with each other Management and IT staff reached a common understanding of what capabilities the company would develop to support future strategies. In order to create a clear vision management defined four core processes. b. Diversification Model – Carlson Companies Each of Carlson’s portfolio of companies run more or less independently of each other. Carlson’s enterprise architecture core diagram shares technical infrastructure services while the business units retain control over local business processes and IT applications c. Coordination Model – MetLife MetLife’s strategy and operating model focused on providing integrated customer service across products. This required extraction of customer information and making it centrally available d. Replication Model – ING DIRECT ING DIRECT’s service modules digitize standardized processes across its business units. The identification of major service categories helps management understand existing capabilities and target new opportunities. 5) The four stages of Architecture Maturity are: Business Silo Architecture: where companies look to maximize individual business unit needs or functional needs Standardized Technology Architecture: providing IT efficiencies through technology standardization and, in most cases, increased centralization of technology management Optimized core architecture: provides companywide data and process standardization as appropriate for the operating model Business Modularity Architecture: where companies manage and reuse loosely coupled IT-enabled business process components to preserve global standards while enabling local differences 6) The strategic implications of the four architecture stages are as follows: Business Silos – Local / Functional optimization Standardized Technology / IT efficiency Optimized core / Business Operational efficiency Business Modularity / Strategic Agility 7) The three main ingredients 0f the IT Engagement Model: Companywide IT governance: decision rights and accountability framework to encourage desirable behavior in the use of IT Project management: formalized  project methodology, with clear deliverables and regular checkpoints Linking mechanisms: processes and decision-making bodies that align incentives and connect the project-level activities to the overall IT governance. 8) IT governance is the decision rights and accountability framework for encouraging desirable behaviors in the use of IT. IT governance reflects broader corporate governance principles while focusing on the management and use of IT to achieve corporate performance goals. IT governance encompasses five major decision areas related to the management and use of IT in a firm, all of which should be driven by the operating model: I. IT principles: high level decisions about the strategic role of IT in the business II. Enterprise architecture: the organizing logic for business processes and IT infrastructure III. IT infrastructure: centrally coordinated, shared IT services providing part of the foundation of execution IV. Business application needs: business requirements for purchased or internally developed IT applications that both use and build the foundation for execution V. Prioritization and investment: decisions about how much and where to invest in IT, including project approval and justification techniques. 9) Linking mechanisms is the third essential ingredient of the IT engagement model. Linking mechanisms connect companywide governance and projects. Good IT governance ensures that there’s clear direction on how to evolve the company’s foundation. Good project management ensures that projects are implemented effectively, efficiently, and in a consistent manner to maximize learning. Good linking mechanisms ensure that projects incrementally build the company’s foundation and that the design of the company’s foundation is informed by projects. There are three types of linking mechanisms (architecture linkage, business linkage, and alignment linkage) that address the key alignment and coordination concerns of the company. Architecture Linkage establishes and updates standards, reviews projects for compliance, and approves exceptions. Architecture linkage connects the IT governance decisions about architecture with project design decisions. Business linkage ensures that business goals are translated effectively into project  goals. Business linkage coordinates projects, connects them to larger transformation efforts, and focuses projects on attacking specific problems in the best possible way. Alignment linkage mechanisms ensure ongoing communication and negotiation between IT and business concerns. Business IT relationship mangers and Business unit CIOs are typically a critical linkage fro translating back and forth between business goals and IT constraints. 10) The three ingredients of engagement that create business value are IT governance, Project management and Linking mechanisms. Clear, specific, and actionable objectives: In order to be effective, IT engagement models clarify strategic objectives so standardization and integration requirements are clear. Motivation to meet company goals: Formal incentives such as bonus plans, annual reviews, etc help ensure focus from business unit leaders and project managers on company, business unit and project goals Enforcement authority: Formal enforcements such as complementary to formal incentives help build an effort’s credibility. Enforcement provides a process for changing, discontinuing, or granting an exception to a project that is not compliant with the target enterprise architecture. Early Intervention and prevention: In order to prevent bad solutions form being deigned, IT groups engage with business projects during the earliest stages of development to prevent bad solutions from being designed in the first place and also to learn how to improve target architecture. Transparent, regular, two-way communication: Good engagement ensures that everyone is clear on how the model works. Alignment and coordination are achieved and maintained through regular dialogue between business and IT and across business units.

International Protection of Refugees Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words - 1

International Protection of Refugees - Essay Example For the collection of data I have gone through authentic websites and books. The first need to address the issue of refugees came with the end of the World War I. Several movements, such as the Russian Revolution and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, created a major refugee problem in the world. Jaeger (2001) writes in his article â€Å"On the History of International Protection of Refugees† that approximately 1.2 million people left Russian territory between the period of 1918 and 1922. Since the resources were getting exhausted it was decided to appoint a High Commissioner for refugees which would define the status of refugees, guarantee their repatriation and their employment outside Russia. Dr. Fridtjof Nansen was appointed by the League of Nations in 1921 as High Commissioner for Russian refugees. Later his responsibilities were extended to refugees from other countries as well such as the Armenians in 1924 and the Assyrian, Assyro- Chaldean and Turkish refugees in 1928. Several important developments that took place in the 1930s are mentioned below: International Nansen Office for Refugees: The office was created after the death of Nansen in 1931. It was an autonomous body and worked under the authority of the League. Its aim was to provide humanitarian and relief work. The office was liquidated in 1938 (Abrams, 2001). High Commissioner for Refugees coming from Germany: Following the rise of Hitler’s power a High Commissioner for refugees coming from Germany was appointed. The office was liquidated along with the Nansen office in 1938. The High Commissioner fought strict immigration rules to help resettle the Jews and non Jews coming from Germany (Cutts, 2000). The organization came into existence in 1943 and was created by the allies. It helped in organizing the return of millions of people back to the counties of origin. Many people did

Changes in US for the Past 27 Years Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Changes in US for the Past 27 Years - Essay Example U.S is one amongst the country’s that have undergone change with time. This paper compares intelligibly how life used to be for an American citizen 27 years ago and how life is today for an American citizen. It also depicts the writer’s own perspective on the changes that have occurred with time. After interviewing Steve Lance, an American citizen now 50 years, he explained how life was 29 years ago when he was still 21 years old. He told me of the difficult situations he had to undergo during his twenties. Life was not a bed of roses and one had to struggle to make ends meet. From his perspective, life used to be hard and required perseverance. Although he experienced hardship, there was nothing to do about it. He often thought of a world without hardships and physiological torture. In comparison to today’s life, it is far much better, with no stress and everything made easier. Due to rapid change in technology, life for a 21-year-old American citizen can be vie wed meaningful. It is in rare cases to find a 21-year-old individual drowned in physiological stress since he/she has positive plans and informed of the daily happening. This is guaranteed by the advancement in technology and the prevailing political stability. According to Steve, he always had an optimistic approach of life. Despite the limitation in accessing education, he did not at any point of his life loose hope for the future. He always had mighty dreams, which he ever looked forward in achieving them. His own perspective was that he was to become a triumphant businessperson after all the perseverance in life. However, how he was to achieve his dream was the greatest fear he had in life. Each passing day, he was worried of how to establish him financially stable since he lived a life of hand to mouth. In relation to today’s life, people also base their hopes in future. They believe in the future due to the diverse changes in technology. Presently, individuals always dr eam of new inventions in technology. They always foresee great things ahead of life. However, it becomes a problem in relation to the skills and knowledge required to accomplish such a task. Steve further explained of the poor technology and infrastructure they experienced during his twenties and the drawbacks in comparison to today’s life. He is astonished by change in internet facilities and communication devices. He goes ahead and views cars and bridges because of revolution since he did not own a car and saw no importance of having one. 29 years ago, everything seemed slow, laborious, and labor intensive. Several people owned bicycles that aided in their transport. Leisure time was emphasized and people spent their time singing and dancing. This used to be a very important period appreciated by every person. Today, cars of different versions have found their way in the country and owning one is not a big issue. Moreover, people have invented better ways of having fun and relaxing which include watching television, browsing the internet, and playing various games like golf. Steve explained to me in depth of difficulties he had to face in his life in order to make ends meet for his family. He was by then married and had two children. Life tor him seemed hard and unfair since he was unemployed. He had a family to feed, which put its entire hopes in him. He viewed the president as someone capable of leading the country to both political and economical success but

Individual reflection and personal development plan Essay

Individual reflection and personal development plan - Essay Example In the New Year resolution, I sat down reflecting over my life I clearly came up with various goals which I have planned to achieve in different phases. Some of the key goals I need to achieve in my school and a professional life include getting a high score in my exams, becoming the best graduate in finance and accounting department, acquiring recommendation letter by the end of the semester and finally getting a job with one of the leading government developmental project. I decided to set these specific goals because they will be easier to achieve than vague ended goals (Lyons, 2010). I have realized that being focused on a path gives someone a logical set of actions to follow. So each and every accomplishment leads me one step closer to the final goal Getting a high score on my exams: since I joined this college, I have been strictly adhering to my reading time table and managing my time well. This has enabled me to score high marks in my first and second year. As I start my third year in this college, I plan to attend more group discussion as this will help me in carrying out my course projects (Smith,Rawling & Jones,2007).This will essentially help me to score high marks in my final exams. As a result, I will  achieve one of my key goals. Attaining a letter of recommendation: Concerning the letter of recommendation, I have contacted the department of finance and accounting through  accounting lecturer, who is also my mentor. The department has assured me that by the end of the semester, they will  issue recommendation letters to all third year students. So there is a high hope that by the end of the semester I will  acquire my recommendation letter, which will assist me in my attempt to securing a job. Being the best graduate in school of accounting and finance: earlier in the first year, I realized that to be the best graduate in any department does

Daily Social Responsibility in Action Assignment

Daily Social Responsibility in Action - Assignment Example The involved actions in social responsibility may not necessarily remedy the actual effects on the society but aim achieving an overall social benefit. Organizations also engage in social responsibility in order to meet interest of people who influence the organization’s existence and operations. Partnerships and other contracts may for example be tied to terms for corporate social responsibility and this forces organization to honor their obligations to the stakeholders (Grossling, 2011). Another reason for organization’s participation in social responsibility is that the role averts pressure that would have built against the organization’s interest such as crimes into vandalism of assets (Visser, Matten, Pohl and Tolhurst, 2010). Organizations derive diversified benefits from their participation in social responsibility. Such benefits include reduced costs due to recycled resources, innovation into new products, motivated staff and a safer environment. The organization’s employees however benefit from â€Å"environmental awareness,† and â€Å"improved staff morale† towards higher output levels (Frank and Neergaard, 2012, p. 86). My experience with a company that involved in corporate social responsibility involves witnessing academic sponsorship by a commercial bank to needy students. The bank’s partners initiated this role and it improved customer’s loyalty to the bank, especially people from the beneficiary

Perceptions that consumers have for the different marketing messages Essay

Perceptions that consumers have for the different marketing messages - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the selective exposure process focuses on individuals to agree with those medium of communication that is in alignment with their views and opinions. Consumers in this selective process only go out for things that are of interest to them and oppose those things that they are against about. An example can be the fluctuations of the share prices. A drop in the share prices would affect the consumers and they may apply the selective exposure process. The selective retention process observes that consumers tend to retain those marketing messages that are of interest to them and also are favoring their opinions as well. The marketing messages that are against the opinion of the consumers do not tend to retain for long in the minds of consumers. The products advertised to consumers such as mobile phones for youngsters may be a highly attractive product and they may observe keenly the advertising done for mobile phones. The selective percepti on theory states that consumers interpret facts that they are interested in. In other words, consumers comprehend the situation the way they want to see it as. They hear what they believe in rather than what the message is actually trying to state. Therefore, in this case for different consumers, the same message may have different worth and meaning to them. For example, consumers that like to watch a lot of television may only see the advantageous side of watching television and may ignore the disadvantages that watching too much television has on humans.

Poetry Slam Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Poetry Slam - Movie Review Example "Slam's victory at Sundance marks a critical move for the art. Poetry's value is completely tied to its integrity, and in Slam it is the poem that defines the terms. Saul Williams and Sonja Sohn, the star-crossed fiery loves at the centre of this story, are both seasoned poets in the New York spoken-word world The poets in Slam speak a poem through film, they do not sit on a plastic waiting for the pan across a furled eyebrow." (Stratton and Wozencraft, 137) Therefore, it is essential to comprehend that the film Slam celebrates its success through the depiction of the relevance and impact of poetry in the contemporary society and the major characters, themes, action, etc centre around the impact of poetry in society. The relevance and impact of poetry in the contemporary society has been the central idea suggested by the film Slam and the film has been central in representing the great role of poetry, rap, performance art and stand-up comedy etc in our society. It is a movie which specifically suggests the relevance of poetry in human life and society. "Slam is a raw poem of a movie.