Successful companies have become more innovative in their approach to decisions regarding investments, including employee development. Business leaders realise that intellectual capital is now considered a vital value creator in modern day organisations and due to the ever changing business environment it is key to promote a proficient and ongoing learning culture:

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” (Alvin Toffler).

Much has been said of the benefits that elearning or self study offers the individual. This article considers the benefits to the organisation. In particular, how do organisations enable and encourage ongoing professional development – without sacrificing the quality and efficiency of their business operations, while driving down costs? Online learning offers a solution.

This diagram allows us to identify the benefits of eLearning for the Organisation in 3 main areas. Cost reductions, increased productivity and the development of skills vital for continued business success.

Lets us consider some of these points

Cost Reductions

Reduced cost of delivery. Savings are made through the elimination of costs associated with more traditional training services.

Reduced learning time. Online learning is an effective way for an organization to provide its employees with the tools and skills needed to enhance their performance, while also providing an environment in which they can do so during down times at the company and within their individual job roles. No longer will training need to be restricted to when a significant group of employees can be spared from their daily roles.

Increased Productivity

Faster delivery of learning. Classroom based learning is restricted by the availability of classrooms, trainers and how many employees can be taken off projects and business activities. Elearning allows materials to be accessed anywhere, anytime, by all of the employees needing training at times that are convenient for the business.

More consistent learning.  Online learning ensures that all employees have access to the same information, and more importantly, at the same level of quality. Elearning provides a standardised process and consistency in the delivery of content.

More accessible learning. Having access to material anywhere, anytime during the course provides the flexability and convenience that complements business needs with the persons availability.

Managed Learning. Online learning provides companies control of the skill development path for individual learners. There is a growing trend to move away from the historic approach of ‘one size fits all’, employees are able to tailor the amount of time spent on each topic, based on their prior knowledge of it. Further to this, Companies can track and assess the learners progress via learning management systems (LMS).

Organisational development

We will highlight 2 points in this subsection as we have spoken much about the other points noted in the diagram

Creation of Knowledge and learning networks.By providing an environment (forum or wiki) where your employees are able to naturally discuss and share training, experiences and issues as a result from the elearning– they are able to share and gain knowledge related to their practical work from one another encouraging knowledge sharing.

Knowledge management. Tools for knowledge, and learning networks for collaboration and conversation, allow companies to capture and deseminate a wealth of valuable organisational knowledge. Companies can also guide these groups to practices and value added information that will ensure that the development of skills is aligned with the business strategy

Architecting the Enterprise recognises the value that eLearning can provide a business. In keeping with this we offer several online and elearning courses. Much of our current offering is focused on TOGAF® and subsequent training around this Framework. To find out how we can assist your business in taking full advantage of elearning please contact the team at onlinesale@architecting-the-enterprise.com

In the midst of the current economic pressures, Architecting the Enterprise sees our continued success, resulting in our need for larger premises as testimony of the value that our service brings to clients.

We are delighted to announce that from today the 31st October 2011 our new address is:
Architecting the Enterprise
Hampden Court
Kingsmead Business Park
Frederick Place
High Wycombe
HP11 1JU

Our main office number +44 (0) 208 1229150 is still the same should you wish to contact us by phone.

This should come as no surprise, in the midst of the global economic crises, it is widely accepted that Enterprise Architecture is much more than an IT function. The Business Drivers and Benefits have proven EA to be a valued strategic tool for businesses looking for change that will ensure that they survive and thrive.

With so many service providers to choose from, businesses may find it difficult to align these offerings to their business needs. For many organisations, the gap between where they are and where they want to be is yet to be determined, so the question is often where to begin.

As a strong believer in the value of re-using something that does work, I would contend that the first step in your EA journey is to look at what other companies are adopting. Adopting a methodology based upon standards and best practices is a sure way to minimise risk and increase your ROI. TOGAF® has emerged as the leading framework of choice for companies and Governments alike with nearly 17,000 TOGAF certified architects around the world and over 300 member organizations belonging to the Open Group. One aspect of TOGAF® that is particularly appealing is that it is intentionally descriptive. Where EA work has already been done, TOGAF® strives to complement, not replace this effort.

With a framework identified, we can now drill down to the choice of a supplier. The rules of supply and demand dictate that the leading EA framework attracts a plethora of providers looking to service a rapidly growing market. You may be asking “How do I cut through the noise and find the best provider that is right for me and my company?”

The obvious question would be “What makes Architecting the Enterprise different from other providers?” Part of our legacy is that we have trained in the region of 50% of all TOGAF practitioners. Clients can testify to our thought leadership in Enterprise Architecture and how this has benefited their initiatives. Clients also want to know more about the following areas:

• The history and ongoing efforts of Architecting the Enterprise’s contribution to TOGAF®
• Our reaction to what the global market is demanding in the EA space

Architecting the Enterprise is one of the original contributors to TOGAF®. Founder Judith Jones and other members of the company continue to play a strategic role in The Open Groups Architecture Forum

Our commitment to develop a truly global standard is reflected in our efforts to align TOGAF® with other standards including ITIL, SOA, Cloud computing, industry standards, and the continued development of TOGAF® itself.

Speaking with our clients around the world has allowed Architecting the Enterprise to meet the increased demand for Enterprise Architecture training and professional services. Now offering services in over 40 countries, we have delivered the first accredited TOGAF training in locations like Estonia, Russia, Lebanon, Latin America and countries in Asia Pacific. Whilst the level of EA maturity may vary from company to company, the same is true from country to country. Our subject matter experts are encouraged to share their knowledge, and as a result, a library of articles addressing topics such as SOA, Cloud Computing, BPM & EA Leadership are freely available on our website. Check out: Enterprise Architecture Articles page for the latest topics we are certain you will find of interest to you and your organizations.

If you are looking for a service provider to walk with you on your EA journey, Architecting the Enterprise has the experience to help you Shape Your Future. But don’t take it from us, read what our clients have to say.

If you would like to find out more about how the Architecting the Enterprise team can assist you, please do visit our website or contact us directly.

Greg Le Roux
Head of Global Marketing and Channel management.

The Architecture Forum have proceeded with a formal review and a ballot, and on Wednesday 18th of May 2011 approved the glossary as a candidate Technical Standard. The glossary will be now submitted to the Governing Board for final approval.

Rafal Jablonka was leading this initiative of volunteers and we would like to thank all the members of the Polish translation team for their efforts in developing this document.

Special thanks goes to Andrzej Sobczak (Architecting the Enterprise) who developed the initial version of the glossary, and the most active team members: Aneta Nowobilska (Detecon), Jacek Presz (Ernst&Young), Janusz Żmudziński (Asseco), Romek Frania and Adam Wasylewski (TP).

Big thanks also goes to about a dozen other people who helped in the process on a less regular basis: Roman Jelonek, Paweł Zubkiewicz, Krzysztof Swaczyński, Marcin Cieślak, Tomasz Kazimierski, Michał Czausow, Anna Werner, Leszek Włodarski, Piotr Walesiak, Witold Jarzynka, Piotr Pitucha and Katarzyna Korcewicz.

The Polish localisation mailing list has been subscribed by almost 40 individuals representing 19 organisations.

It is believed that by June 2011 the official, Polish standard TOGAF 9 glossary will be available.  The progress for this initiative  will be announced in the Architecting the Enterprise Newsletters once it has been announced by the Open Group

In addition to having loads of fun, a total of £535.00 was collected on the day which is a fantastic accomplishment.  Further to this, Vocollect International made a further contribution of £112.00. Judith Jones, the CEO of Architecting the Enterprise has generously agreed to match the amount of £647.00 resulting in a total of £1,294.00 going to the charity.

Architecting the Enterprise extends a big thank you to everyone who participated on the day and for the generous contributions made for a good cause.

High Wycombe, UK, January 12, 2011 – Architecting the Enterprise, a global leader in TOGAF® training and Enterprise Architecture (EA) consultancy services, today announces membership to the American Council for Technology/Industry Advisory Group (ACT-IAC).

“Membership to the IAC, and in particular its Enterprise Architecture Shared Interest Group (SIG) provides an excellent forum for understanding and contributing to the EA requirements of both the US Federal Government as well as many of its major suppliers”, says Ed Harrington, Principal Consultant with Architecting the Enterprise.

Created in 1989, the IAC provides an objective and vendor-neutral forum for obtaining advice from the private sector information technology industry.

In 2010, the work done by the Enterprise Architecture Work Group produced significant documents such as “Citizen Enabling Open Government” and coming soon, “The Role of Enterprise Architecture in Federal Cloud Computing”.

The Cloud Computing Task Group coordinates and facilitates Cloud Computing related activities across its various Shared Interest Groups of the IAC.

Architecting the Enterprise actively participates in other industry related organizations such as the Open Group and the Association for Open Group Enterprise Architects. Most recently, contributions to various Open Group Forums have seen the release of the SOA Ontology, as well as the launch of 11 different projects to produce translated versions of TOGAF documentation in several different languages.

Judith Jones, CEO of Architecting the Enterprise, fully supports and encourages company participation in organizations who promote the advancement of Enterprise Architecture. “Ultimately, the objective of collaboration based organizations is to improve or enhance the cause they support. In this case, the goals of the IAC and of Architecting the Enterprise are aligned perfectly - both organizations are driven by a desire to enable companies to practice strong, effective Enterprise Architecture.” states Mrs. Jones.

About ACT-IAC – Advancing Government Through Education, Collaboration and Action
ACT-IAC has been recognized as the premier government IT community’s public-private partnership and is an example of how government and industry work together. We are a non-profit educational organization created to advance government in serving the public through the effective application of IT resources. Our education, training, programming and collaboration opportunities enhance and advance the government IT profession. ACT-IAC’s objective, vendor and technology-neutral, and ethical forum allows government and industry to collaborate and improve government through technology. Learn more about our organization at www.actgov.org or call (703) 208-4800.

About Architecting the Enterprise
Architecting the Enterprise provides training and consultancy in Enterprise Architecture and has trained and certified over 50% of all current TOGAF practitioners. Our goal is to continue to develop this community and to provide leadership in Enterprise Architecture methods and standards. For more information visit www.architecting-the-enterprise.com or contact us in North America at 415-508-4119.

Media Contact:
Greg Le Roux: Head of Channel Management and Global Marketing
greg@architecting-the-enterprise.com
+44(0) 208 1229 150
###

The conference will cover several topics including:

• Business IT Alignment
• Innovation Management
• EA and Cloud Computing
• EA Governance
• Agility
• Project Portfolio Management
• Best Practices, Tools and Anti Patterns

Based on Architecting the Enterprise's extensive experience on the subject of Governance, Serge Thorn and Danny Weinberger will talk about EA Governance, the presentation will address:

• Governance and why we need it
• The importance of processes, roles, responsibilities, and skills
• Definition of the components and related activities
• Case Study for a successful Enterprise Architecture governance using TOGAF

For further information please visit: http://www.iir.de/eam

Panelists will present case studies.

Participants will learn:

• How the technical architecture (applications, data and technology) depend on an understanding of the business architecture of an agency
• How the detailed guidance of TOGAF 9 maps to FEA, FSAM and other US civilian enterprise architecture guidance for describing technical architectures
• What TOGAF artifacts (catalogs, matrices and diagrams) can be useful in describing technical architectures

When: January 24, 2011
Time: 11:30 - 12:30 Eastern
Presenter: John Polgreen, Ph. D. (Chief Architect, Architecting the Enterprise)

Register Now!

The course is endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management the UK’s premier awarding body for leadership and management qualifications. The training materials are based on Architecting the Enterprise's extensive training programs.

Why are soft skills important?

Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a structured and integrated approach to business and IT transformation, which optimises costs, maximises business value and manages associated risks. As such, EA is the foundation for effective management of organizational change and provides a framework for managing complexity and orchestrating key activities.  It also facilitates collaboration between key stakeholders and those responsible for realizing the transformation.

Enterprise Architects are key agents of such change and their performance is critically dependent on soft skills around leadership, communications and organization empowerment. For instance, during a difficult business merger or acquisition, where systems need to be integrated and interoperate, skills such a leadership, persuasion, and negotiation, plus the ability to communicate the value of particular options, are critical to success.

These soft skills, plus effective partnership with the business and strong governance are strong determinants of the successful use of EA in business transformation.

Soft skills are fast becoming the deal breaker in many of today's hiring decisions. Executives are rarely measured according to how well they can re-iterate the technical specifications of their products and services, but rather on their ability to motivate an organization, to assess the performance of their staff, to make clear and well-balanced decisions and their ability to develop and communicate ideas and visions.

Who is Soft Skills for Enterprise Architects course geared to?

These courses are designed with the EA/IT professional in-mind, and are geared to understanding business thought processes to ensure effective communication with key stakeholders when making recommendations for change or implementation. However, other professionals can also benefit from attending the courses.

Objectives and benefits of the course for the delegates

• Enhance effective engagement with key stakeholders
• Facilitate communication flows and in complex environments
• Gain commitment from key stakeholders and contributors
• Harness technical skills and assets to create significant business value

What is the value?

By effectively pitching value messages to Business Leaders and other key Stakeholders in their language, the Architect would be viewed as a ‘partner’ rather than ‘just the technical specialist’, and someone who facilitates a joined up approach to driving business growth.

Course content

Delegates can expect to cover areas such as Effective Communication, Leadership, Empowerment of Teams and Change Management.

The course concentrates on the key aspects of stakeholder management and provides the Architect with the competitive advantage by equipping them with the required soft skills to relate to business leaders on their level.

The core of the course covers soft skills in the context of the change management necessary for effective EA practice and business transformation and includes the following critical soft skills:

• Emotional Intelligence
• Leadership
• Effective Communication
• Transactional Analysis
• Feedback
• How Architecture Teams Work
• Indoor exercises
• Logical Analysis
• Stakeholder Management
• Risk Management
• A written assignment

In addition to the training modules, the course makes extensive use of exercises with critical assessments so that the delegate receives feedback whilst it’s still fresh.  Additionally, delegates will be required to undertake a short work-based assignment which may be externally verified by the Institute of Leadership and Management.

The course underpins several success factors including:

Leadership – Motivating change

Great leaders inspire people to achieve successful outcomes. We will address key characteristics of leadership, leadership style and gaining better insight into the needs and incentives that drive behaviour.

Communication – Understanding change

Communication is fundamental to making sure everyone is on board with business transformation. We look at skills for exerting influence, persuasion, and negotiation, as well as how to focus on business value as the basis for propositions.

Management – Organising change

Finally, people need to be organised to deliver desired business benefits, so we address the need for governance and effective team building as critical success factors.

For more information on courses, dates and pricing please contact sales@architecting-the-enterprise.com or call + 44 (0) 208 1229 150.

The Open Group SOA Ontology defines the concepts, terminology, and semantics of SOA in both business and technical terms, in order to enable communications between business and technical people through enhancing the understanding of SOA concepts in the both communities. The SOA Ontology provides a means to state problems and opportunities clearly and unambiguously to promote mutual understanding. It is designed to be generic enough to create a foundation for further work in domain-specific areas.

As the SOA Ontology Technical Standard states: "The ontology contains classes and properties corresponding to the core concepts of SOA. The formal OWL definitions are supplemented by natural language descriptions of the concepts, with graphic illustrations of the relations between them, and with examples of their use. For purposes of exposition, the ontology also includes UML diagrams that graphically illustrate its classes and properties of the ontology. The natural language and OWL definitions contained in this specification constitute the authoritative definition of the ontology; the diagrams are for explanatory purposes only. Some of the natural language terms used to describe the concepts are not formally represented in the ontology; those terms are meant in their natural language sense."

Architecting the Enterprise is continuing to expand its leadership in the SOA space with additional efforts in the development of an Open Group SOA Work Group "Practical Guide" that will illustrate how TOGAF® can be adapted for the development of Service Oriented Architectures. Architecting the Enterprise is also extending its Enterprise Architecture and SOA expertise to the quickly developing Cloud Computing marketplace through active participation in and contribution to The Open Group Cloud Computing Work Group as well as the Cloud Special Interest Group of the Industry Advisory Council to the US Federal Government.

High Wycombe, UK, December 23, 2010 – Architecting the Enterprise has been a global leader in TOGAF training since 2002. As a stand-alone offering, the development of the eLearning version of the TOGAF 9 Level 1 Foundation course is critical to meet the demands of the Enterprise Architecture (EA) community.

TOGAF 9 Level 1 introduces TOGAF to individuals who are either looking to obtain a basic understanding of TOGAF, or for Enterprise Architects who wish to obtain TOGAF 9 training in two stages. As an Open Group accredited course, an examination voucher is included in the course material in order to obtain TOGAF 9 Level 1 certification.

The audience for this course includes individuals such as Project Managers and Business Analysts who wish to familiarize themselves with TOGAF in order to improve communications internally with the Enterprise Architecture team.

Enterprise Architects looking to work towards full TOGAF 9 certification will be able to accomplish this over time, with the benefit of a self paced course program. “As more and more organizations begin to adopt TOGAF 9 as their Enterprise Architecture strategy, the importance of ensuring the business units and the EA teams are in sync, is of growing importance”, says Architecting the Enterprise CEO, Judith Jones. “An eLearning option allows for companies and individuals to work towards their desired level of TOGAF 9 certification without disrupting existing commitments.”

Companies or individuals interested in learning more about the TOGAF 9 Level 1 eLearning course may email: sales@architecting-the-enterprise.com. For telephone inquiries, in North American, contact Leanne MacDonald at 1 (415) 508-4119. All other regions may speak with Kris Wojtyra at +44 (0) 2081 229 150.

About Architecting the Enterprise
Architecting the Enterprise provides training and consultancy in Enterprise Architecture and has trained and certified over 50% of all current TOGAF practitioners. Our goal is to continue to develop this community and to provide leadership in Enterprise Architecture methods and standards. For more information visit www.architecting-the-enterprise.com or contact us at sales@architecting-the-enterprise.com.

Media Contact:
Greg Le Roux: Head of Channel Management and Global Marketing
+44(0) 208 1229 150
###

Participants will learn:

• How to prepare a government enterprise architecture practice to use TOGAF
• How TOGAF defines capability and its use in architecture
• How the detailed guidance of TOGAF 9 maps to FEA, FSAM and other US civilian enterprise architecture guidance for visioning
• How the detailed guidance of TOGAF 9 maps to FEA, FSAM and other US civilian enterprise architecture guidance for describing business architectures
• What TOGAF artifacts (catalogs, matrices and diagrams) can be useful in visioning overall architectures and describing business architectures

When: November 2
Time: 12:30 - 1:30 Eastern
Presenter: John Polgreen, Ph. D. (Chief Architect, Architecting the Enterprise)
Panellists: Greg Lettow , James Odrowski, Aleks Buterman, Robert Weisman, David Epperly, Ed Harrington, Judith Jones

View Recording