What is an architect ?

I discovery the questions at the following blog http://dotnet.org.za/arnon/default.aspx. Arno explained his thinking about the question.

My vision:

I always compare it to an architect who design a building. He will analyse the needs of his client. Propose a concept based on the needs, his experience, style/material which fit within budget and concept the client wants.My personally vision about a good architect:

1) Understand the customer and it's need
2) Looks ahead, creates a vision
3) Capable of translate business needs into a solution
4) Talks the business language, and understand the technical language
5) Design a solution which the business understands, (a business customers doesn't know anything about RUP, MSF, BPMN.....)
6) Architect has to be capable of guide the implementation team, project manager
7) Architect has to support his client and become's sometimes the devils advocate to his internal implementation team.

I think we should define clearly the type of architecture; a business architect, a solution architect, a technical architect....

Almost one year

It's almost any year since my last posts. But in the meantime we spent a lot of time to talk, guide and spread the BPM word.

For some BPM is the new hype and for others it's brings real value to their business needs and existing ICT assets. And for some other BPM is equal to workflow.

1 word 'BPM', different solutions, different understandings and visions, but only one which can leverage it's work with it: the business.

BPM is not only about the right BPMS solution, but it's a real mind-shift of thinking, try to understand how BPM can leverage your effort and having back control over your business.

BPM is about putting the business back in the drivers seat.

I created a task for myself, so I can share my vision and experience in my next posts on the real difference between BPM and Workflow. Stay tuned....

Time is flying...

Time is flying........

I should create a repeating task in my Outlook Calendar, as reminder to update my blog on regular time.

Time is flying.....

As you known we try to focus more on the business focus of projects instead of the pure technology. Step by step we are making progress in the never ending story. It even seems that Microsoft is going for the business solution track............ On their last seminar in Belgium they talked for the first time about solving business solutions! And not about selling product x or y! (Finally in the end you will probably need product to solve the problem or to reach a solution; but more and more people are seeing the difference in this approach)

The last months I worked on different Portal and Collaboration projects, some in corporation with the business and others with native IT people. At the end of a hectically work day it's always funny to look back and see the difference in the project approach and the results you reached.

I have to admit.........IT people...........they are funny............ (Sometimes they even forget that they support their internal clients! the business!)

Workflow modelling

Finally i found some great books related to proven techniques for identifying, modelling and redesign business processes. This time not the 24th description of ITIL or Prince2 methodoly, but a really pragmatic, no-nonsens and to-the-point description.
'Workflow modeling' written by Alec Sharp and Patrick McDermott is infact a book which should be read by every project manager, and functional analyst.It brings the two disciplines of management and ICT together, with a clear view and description to understand both worlds.
The book isn't about technology, but it deals with adaption of new methods and approaches for solving business problems. The different steps are very well explained and documented with practical samples.
So go to the Amazon website, and do yourself a favor !

ICT vs. Business

It’s always a surprise if you have a meeting with an ICT-guy around business topics. Going from ‘to the point’ to... how can I force my idea and protect my job.
I believe it’s the only department inside a company, which thinks they are more then example the bookkeeping or production department.

From what I know there are not much technology bubbles who create real business, inside a traditional company. Take a look on music stores, photo labs who are still struggling to survive today, despite the availability of all this technology.

We can do better from both sides… ICT should try to understand the business processes and the challenges of today, and use technology as support platform for the business. On the other side business should try to understand that’s it’s not always install and run.

Let’s pull all at the same side of the string !

Welcome to my first blog posting.

The meaning of this blog is to share my findings from both business and technology point of view, related to the integration of both worlds. Both worlds? Well despite the huge advantage technology brings, I'm still surprised about the complexity and difficulty we have to use the technology as an advantage to our business. (not only my business ….. but overall).I hope I can share some experience with this weblog and get some positive feedback, so we can all pull the same string………… having a better integration of business and technology…….. and this can not be reached by better software alone.