An enterprise architecture-based approach to the IT-business alignment: An integration of SAM and TOGAF framework

Abstract

Information technologies have evolved from its traditional back office role to a strategic resource role able not only to support but also to shape business strategies. For over a decade IT-business alignment has been ranked as a top-priority management concern and is widely covered in literature. However, conceptual studies dominate the field, while there is little research on practical ways to achieve the alignment. Enterprise Architecture development is a methodological approach to design of mutually aligned business and IT architectures. Most of the existing EA approaches do not distinguish between diverse IT-business alignment perspectives. Thus, the paper aims to attempt at providing a practical guidance for IT-business alignment as well as a strategic guidance for EA development by integrating traditional Strategic Alignment Model and The TOGAF framework.