Short and Sweet Archive

  • Architecture is about holistically describing the system of people, process and technology. It can be abstract and conceptual, or it can be concrete and detailed. But it is never merely a specific product set from a specific vendor.

    Architecture is Not: a Vendor Product

    Posted on March 24, 2011 | No Comments
    Architecture is about holistically describing the system of people, process and technology. It can be abstract and conceptual, or it can be concrete and detailed. But it is never merely a specific product set from a specific vendor.

    Continue Reading...

  • A comprehensive architecture that is made up of things like mission, vision, goals, objectives, requirements, roles, activities, capabilities, services, technical components and yes, physical components is a holistic thing. It is something we bake, not something served up in piecemeal ingredients. We don't eat flour and call it bread just because everyone around us happens to be an expert in flour.

    Architecture is Not: Infrastructure

    Posted on February 28, 2011 | No Comments
    A comprehensive architecture that is made up of things like mission, vision, goals, objectives, requirements, roles, activities, capabilities, services, technical components and yes, physical components is a holistic thing. It is something we bake, not something served up in piecemeal ingredients. We don't eat flour and call it bread just because everyone around us happens to be an expert in flour.

    Continue Reading...

  • Despite the fact that the things we measure are often not related to the impact of our efforts on the business, this hasn't stopped the relentless quest for metrics to feed legions of ravenous dashboard apps and Excel spreadsheets. In fact, they seem to have slowly become an end unto themselves.

    The Quest for Mostly Meaningless Metrics

    Posted on November 1, 2010 | No Comments
    Despite the fact that the things we measure are often not related to the impact of our efforts on the business, this hasn't stopped the relentless quest for metrics to feed legions of ravenous dashboard apps and Excel spreadsheets. In fact, they seem to have slowly become an end unto themselves.

    Continue Reading...

  • How can a business be effective and compete in the market if the leaders don't have a clue what they're spending? Is it because they don't want to know, can't know or just haven't taken the time to know? I'm not sure which option is worse, to be honest.

    Boost Your IQ

    Posted on October 8, 2010 | No Comments
    How can a business be effective and compete in the market if the leaders don't have a clue what they're spending? Is it because they don't want to know, can't know or just haven't taken the time to know? I'm not sure which option is worse, to be honest.

    Continue Reading...

  • A model is useful if it describes something in a context that renders a complex topic easier to digest for specific audience. Its purpose is to describe, to communicate. It is an expression of a viewpoint. It isn't a detailed map or a blueprint. It is representative of a system, it doesn't depict the system. It is an abstraction. I'm afraid we model too frequently as a cover for not actually producing things of value.

    The Power of Carefully Worded Nonsense

    Posted on October 7, 2010 | No Comments
    A model is useful if it describes something in a context that renders a complex topic easier to digest for specific audience. Its purpose is to describe, to communicate. It is an expression of a viewpoint. It isn't a detailed map or a blueprint. It is representative of a system, it doesn't depict the system. It is an abstraction. I'm afraid we model too frequently as a cover for not actually producing things of value.

    Continue Reading...

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