Opinions vary regarding the value an architect adds in the world of project delivery. Some architects define their roadmaps and think their job is done and do not concern themselves with delivery of their architecture. However, delivery teams are frequently left wondering; what can we deliver within our budget, how do we deliver the roadmap and who can we partner with to deliver it.

I would argue that the real value of an architecture roadmap is only realised through its delivery into an organisation, little value is gained from a binder gathering dust on the bookshelf in the Chief Architect’s office. An architect must engage with project delivery and seek opportunities to add value by influencing scope, highlighting dependencies and assisting with vendor selection.

1) Influence Scope

The architect can play an important role in shaping what is delivered by influencing program managers and portfolio planners. The architect can play a vital role in influencing project scope by evangelising the architecture roadmap and the business benefit it delivers. I find that project delivery teams benefit from understanding the rationale behind the roadmap by participating in forums/brown bags organised by the architect. An architect who builds trust with delivery teams will more readily be able to influence the future delivery of the roadmap as the inevitable changes in scope occur during implementation.

2) Dependency Management

Architects can add value by working with the delivery teams to produce an implementation view of the roadmap. For example, a matrix that communicates to the project managers which capabilities are delivered by each project within the organisation and the dependencies between the capabilities. This can lead to models that highlight the time based dependencies between projects, for example the Call Centre project is introducing a new thin client CRM application which is dependent on tablets being delivered by an infrastructure project in Q3 2013.

3) Vendor Selection

A possible conflict between architecture and project delivery is the lack of engagement with incumbent delivery partners and internal vendor management. The architect has an opportunity to add value by engaging with vendor management early in the architecture life cycle to understand any impacts from a vendor perspective. An architect can assist vendor management by producing selection criteria during the RFP process to ensure the most appropriate vendor is considered. It is imperative architects are proactive and work with vendor management to ensure projects are not delayed due to poor vendor planning.

4) Be Valued!

Architects will be valued when they take an active role in the delivery of their architecture rather than a passive role ensconced in their ivory tower.