The measurement of enterprise architecture to add value to small and medium enterprises

Abstract

South Africa has a complex financial and retail service industry with high reliance on the use of IT systems to ensure effectiveness and maintainability. Decision making and improved outcomes may be done through an IT aligned enterprise architecture (EA) strategy. EA is a capability that contributes to the support and success of an organisations' IT. Organisations are currently using EA to better align IT and the business strategy which provides a comprehensive v.ew of the IT system. Thus, EA is increasing in organisations yet the measurement and value of EA is limited to organisations and enterprise architects. The discussions of the benefits and value of EA has been discussed for several years, however there are still no consensus about how the benefits and value of EA can be measured. The lack and clear understanding of the benefits and value of EA needs to consider different aspects of IT as well as the shareholders when measuring the benefits and value of EA to an organisation.