“Foundation for Execution” is a phrase from Enterprise Architecture as a Strategy that essentially refers to the capabilities to execute the little things (from a business perspective) well and without need for thought. This is achieved through digital systems that enable employees executing routine processes to do so reliably, repeatably, and without trouble. This is the foundation on which the business grows. It’s enabled by Enterprise Architecture. See UPS Example Foundation for Execution.
This relies on Qualities of Good Data. It relies on good and obvious business processes supported by Paved Roads. Like those that would function like a Pit of Success.
This is the ”Routine Frees the Mind” equivalent for businesses. You can’t make effective changes to your swim gear if you’re spending all your time fighting for air.
Good Foundations
Good Foundations for Execution are the result of IT capabilities that are well-aligned to business objectives. This means the objectives themselves must be clear.
Warning Signs
If you’ve got a bad foundation for execution you might tick these boxes:
- Different parts of the business would give different answers using different techniques to the same questions
- IT is a bottleneck & everyone knows it
- There are different ways to do the same types of fundamental things, depending on where you are
- Information needed to make decisions is not readily available, it needs mined and transformed
- There is no process to handle changes, each new initiative feels like “starting from scratch”
Ask Yourself
- What processes are digitized end-to-end? Are they mission-critical?
- What data are easily accessible to your employees & customers? Is this the data they need to make decisions?
- What strengths and weaknesses do you see in your foundation?