Case Study
Enterprise Architecture Operating Model
Strategy Technology
Client
U.S. Bank Cooperative
Services
Technology Strategy, Practice Model Optimization, Digital Transformation Strategy
Project Overview
The Client sought support in identifying, prioritizing, and operationalizing enhancements to the Bank’s Enterprise Architecture capability to more effectively plan, govern, and execute the implementation of large-scale transformation initiatives. The initiative began with an in-depth examination of the Bank’s IT organization, including an analysis of key stakeholders, responsibility areas, and culture, to develop a TOGAF-inspired taxonomy tailored to the Bank’s unique organizational context. The RP team leveraged this taxonomy to develop a Target EA Operating Model, realizing a cultural shift toward accountability and enforcement of the CIO’s architectural principles, and brokered sustained communication, collaboration, and alignment across historically siloed groups.
Solution
- Reference Point deployed a team of subject matter experts and experienced consultants with targeted expertise in Enterprise Architecture to analyze the organization’s current-state EA function and propose recommendations for reorganization and operational enhancements.
- The RP team conducted stakeholder interviews throughout the organization and reviewed available documentation to establish a contextual understanding of roles, practices, priorities, and culture to identify pain points, gaps, and opportunities for improvement within the EA capability.
- Leveraging findings from stakeholders, best practices, and industry frameworks, the RP team developed a TOGAF-based EA taxonomy adapted to the client’s organizational composition to establish IT-domains with defined scope, boundaries, and key focus areas.
- The RP team used the EA taxonomy as a foundation to develop a Target Enterprise Architecture Operating Model, establishing IT domain-specific roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities to support architecture governance and solution implementation across the enterprise.
Impact
- Reference Point employed a multi-prong approach to strengthen the effectiveness of the client’s EA function, drawing from stakeholder observations, subject matter expertise, and industry best practice to employ comprehensive, realistic, and sustainable change.
- The proposed enhancements to enterprise architecture operations and governance enabled a cultural shift to promote proactive cooperation, collaboration, and alignment in decisioning, design, and implementation across formerly siloed stakeholder groups.
- By clearly defining scope, boundaries, roles, and responsibilities within each IT-domain, Reference Point provided the client with a clear line-of-sight view into how Architecture Principles will be enforced, implemented, and maintained on an ongoing basis.
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