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Digital North Associates
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Illustrative enterprise architecture team examining connected systems and business dependencies in a planning studio.

DNA Expertise / 04

Enterprise
Architecture.

A connected enterprise.
A clearer path forward.

We establish and operationalize Enterprise Architecture practices, connecting strategy, business, information and technology so your teams can make informed investment and transformation decisions.

Discuss your architecture priorities
From strategic intent to operational reality
01StrategyDirection & priorities
02BusinessCapabilities & processes
03InformationData & knowledge
04ApplicationsSystems & interfaces
05TechnologyInfrastructure & dependencies

Connected by a common language.
Maintained through clear ownership.

What we implement

A practice that works.
A picture you can trust.

When inventories are incomplete, systems overlap and every project repeats discovery, architecture needs both reliable information and a sustainable practice behind it.

01

An established EA practice

An EA mandate, operating model, roles, service catalogue and performance measures.

02

A consistent architecture framework

A charter, common taxonomy and content framework, principles, standards and governance arrangements.

03

A governed digital environment

A digital architecture environment with collaboration, access controls, workflows and integrations suited to the organization.

04

A connected enterprise repository

Connected strategy, capability, process, information, application and infrastructure models, including vendors, interfaces and data flows.

05

Portfolio insight and target direction

Portfolio assessment for functional fit, cost, risk and obsolescence, with target architecture and sequenced roadmaps.

06

Architecture embedded in decisions

Architecture guidance, decision records, stakeholder reporting and review routines that sustain the practice.

The architecture behind better decisions

One connected practice.
Built to be used.

Practice, digital enablement and enterprise content work together. Select a perspective to see what makes the capability useful.

ReportsPortalsDashboardsViews for the people making decisions
03

Connected enterprise content

Strategy · Business · Information
Applications · Technology

Dependencies, interfaces and security context
02

A governed digital environment

Collaboration · Access · Workflows · Integrations

Keep architecture accessible and current
01

A sustainable EA practice

Mandate · People · Framework · Governance

Common standards, ownership and measures

Three connected parts, not a delivery sequence.

Decisions

Give architecture a mandate.

Clear sponsorship, responsibilities and governance place architecture within the decisions that shape the organization.

What this looks like in practice

An agreed mandate, accountable roles and an architecture governance forum.

Who owns the decision, and where does architecture contribute?

Understand the impact

See the capabilities, processes and dependencies behind a proposed change.

Prioritize investment

Use portfolio fit, cost, risk and obsolescence to inform where to invest or simplify.

Guide transformation

Sequence the path to the target architecture and keep decisions aligned as delivery progresses.

Working together

Stronger with
the right disciplines.

Business Process Management

Mapping, mining and continuously redesigning how work actually happens, not how the org chart says it should.

Explore the discipline

Data & Knowledge Governance

We establish the governance and connected view of your data and knowledge, so teams understand what information means, where it comes from, who owns it and how it supports the business.

Explore the discipline

Operational Excellence

Turn process insight into a continuous improvement rhythm.

Explore the discipline

Delegation of Authority

Authority matrices and approval chains that are explicit, auditable and enforced, not tribal knowledge held by whoever has been here longest.

Explore the discipline

Before we begin

Good questions.
Straight answers.

What does DNA’s Enterprise Architecture consulting cover?

We establish the EA practice and connect its information to the decisions it supports. The scope can include mandates and roles, architecture frameworks, repositories, capability models, application portfolios, target architectures and governance.

How is Enterprise Architecture different from an application inventory?

An inventory records what exists. Enterprise Architecture connects that record to strategy, business capabilities, processes, information and technology dependencies, supported by ownership and governance. Those relationships make the information useful for planning and change.

Can DNA help establish or improve an existing EA function?

Yes. We can establish a new practice or strengthen an existing one, retaining useful models and records while addressing gaps in mandate, standards, ownership, digital enablement and use in decisions.

How does Enterprise Architecture support transformation and AI initiatives?

Connected architecture helps teams understand the capabilities, data, systems and dependencies an initiative relies on. It supports impact assessment and sequencing, while implementation choices still require assessment of the specific business case and risks.

Your next move

Which technology decisions
need a clearer picture?

Bring us the challenge that matters most. We will help you find the right place to begin.

Let’s work through it