Executive and stakeholder involvement in EA governance are critical. The executive provides the strategic elements necessary that give direction, identify goals, and establish objectives for the enterprise. “Strategic elements translate into both procedural and tactical elements” such as procurement policies and procedures, mission statements, enterprise direction (NASCIO EA Tool-Kit, p.40). Without a strong executive, implementing technology might not relate to the goals of the organization and result in the enterprise not achieving success. Stakeholder involvement in the Architecture Governance elements is also critical because stakeholders provide necessary check and balances to hold the organization accountable and compliant. Stakeholders such as executives, department managers, IT staff, vendors providing technology solutions, and other identified individuals, also help ensure that communications are delivered in a timely manner. Lack of stakeholder involvement runs the risk of a lack of communication and transparency, less oversight of decision-making process, and a greater number of errors, expenses, and redundancy. Inclusion of stakeholders in Architecture Governance encourages integration and alignment of future designs and anticipated needs of the enterprise (future state). In addition, in terms of the increase importance of big data in education, it is important to include Subject Matter Experts, in this case a Data Steward in EA governance. Data governance (rules for data structures, access, and security) should be integrated along side EA governance to reduce the risk of errors and maximize efficiency.
References:
Education Enterprise Architecture Guidebook, Section, pp.16-20 and Appendix H Selecting a Segment Architecture Project Team http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/implementation-support-unit/tech-assist/education-architecture-guidebook.pdf
NASCIO EA Tool-Kit Version 3.0—Introduction and Governance, pp.38-52. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B80Te2FmrBXmQWVDUmJYNTU4ZU0/edit?pli=1
References:
Education Enterprise Architecture Guidebook, Section, pp.16-20 and Appendix H Selecting a Segment Architecture Project Team http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/implementation-support-unit/tech-assist/education-architecture-guidebook.pdf
NASCIO EA Tool-Kit Version 3.0—Introduction and Governance, pp.38-52. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B80Te2FmrBXmQWVDUmJYNTU4ZU0/edit?pli=1