The MOST effective way to ensure that IT supports the agile needs of an enterprise is to develop a robust enterprise architecture (EA). Enterprise architecture is the practice that supports organizations to understand the complexity of their own business components so they can be changed in a consistent way1. Enterprise architecture provides a framework for change, linked to both strategic direction and business value. It provides organization views to manage complexity,support continuous change, and keep the adequate level of balance between risk and innovation1. Enterprise architecture is also key to support strategic decision making, to provide guidance and guardrails to IT teams that are focused on agile delivery solutions2.

Some of the benefits of developing a robust enterprise architecture for an agile enterprise are3:

It aligns the IT objectives and activities with the business strategy and expectations

It enables faster and more effective delivery of IT solutions that meet customer needs and expectations

It reduces waste, duplication, and technical debt by promoting reuse, standardization, and integration of IT assets

It fosters innovation and experimentation by providing a clear vision, direction, and roadmap for new and emerging technologies

It enhances collaboration and communication among stakeholders by providing a common language and understanding of the organization’s architecture

Therefore, developing a robust enterprise architecture is the most effective way to ensure that IT supports the agile needs of an enterprise.