Target-State Architecture

Definition

A target architecture sets the framework for planning, assigning resources, and streamlining activities to reach a desired future state.

In essence, the target architecture is the blueprint for both enterprise architects and project managers to follow.

HOW?

  1. Set the Baseline Architecture
  1. Assess the baseline architecture based on TIME model
  1. Define Target State Architecture

Conduct meeting with various stakeholders

Understand of the application inventory and baseline architecture

Tolerate
(the application should be left alone and considered for future improvement)

Invest
(the applications worths investing in, yielding even better returns or seeing a further reduction in costs)

Migrate
(for applications that are low quality but provide high value to the business)

Eliminate
(for applications providing no business value, being unused or used minimally, or being based on obsolete software)

Business: provides a certain amount of values

Technical: high quality

Operation: doens't cost a lot to maintain

Business: recognizable values

Technical: stable and well archtiected

Operation: doesn't require much support

Business: high value

Technical: low quality

Approach

Shift users & data to an existing application then discard the instance

Develop a new application in replacement of this one

Plan

Decide

Execute

establishing the overall business objective(s)

ensuring all stakeholders are on board and moving in the same direction

forecast high-level changes to the IT infrastructure and get a fundamental grasp of the impacts that will need to be addressed

visualizing how short-term initiatives align with long-term business objectives

creating a transformation roadmap that takes into account more granular architectural changes

monitor the progress of evolving business objectives while at the same time measuring stages of completion on individual projects

document the IT repository