Enterprise Architecture As Strategy

I have just started read a new book by Ross, Weill and Roberts called Enterprise Architecture As Strategy. I think the book will give EA a lot of momentum – like IT-Governance gained momentum after Ross and Weill’s book IT-Governance. But, the managerial presentation of EA in the book also echoes in form and substance the traditional definitions of Management Information Systems (MIS) – and the early work of Zachman and Spewak. This kind of research and consulting activity associated with strategic IT alignment does not deal with two fundamental questions:
- IT planning has been around for many years. But alignment is still a problem – why is it so difficult?
- Successful Strategic Information Systems seem to show that tinkering, not conscious alignment, was behind successfully aligned IT-applications – can we really find one right medicine?
Sceptically open-minded, I will read the rest of the book and get back with my evaluation. I recommend thinking about the two questions above if you read the book. And please do not jump the buzz wagon tomorrow – EA has a lot of potential, but it is no silver bullet!