Establish Enterprise Architects As IT Innovation Champions

Business leaders expect technology to help drive competitive differentiation, yet only a small number of IT organizations have established a formal approach to innovation with clear roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities. Even fewer are relying on their enterprise architecture (EA) teams to lead innovation efforts, though architects are uniquely qualified for the role. With a small change in focus and a collaborative approach, architects have an opportunity to become their organization's driving force for IT innovation. Even during economic downturns, the need for innovation remains strong, though the focus may temporarily shift away from competitive advantage to cost savings.