How to define IT Governance (first draft)

Information Technology Governance, IT Governance or ICT (Information & Communications Technology) Governance, is a subset discipline of Corporate Governance focused on information technology (IT) systems and their performance and risk management

The primary goals for information technology governance are to

(1) assure that the investments in IT generate business value, and

(2) mitigate the risks that are associated with IT.

This can be done by implementing an organizational structure with well-defined roles for the responsibility of information,business processes, applications, infrastructure, etc.

Is IT governance different from IT management and IT controls? The problem with IT governance is that often it is confused with good management practices and IT control frameworks. ISO 38500 has helped clarify IT governance by describing it as the management system used by directors. In other words, IT governance is about the stewardship of IT resources on behalf of the stakeholders who expect a return from their investment. The directors responsible for this stewardship will look to the management to implement the necessary systems and IT controls. Whilst managing risk and ensuring compliance are essential components of good governance, it is more important to be focused on delivering value and measuring performance.

Related: Formal architecture compliance process: a process for ensuring new projects are adopting standard technologies

Source: Enterprise Architecture as a Stragegy

Source: answers.com

How to define enterprise architecture?

Enterprise Architects use various business methods and tools to understand and document the structure of an enterprise. In doing so, they produce documents and models, together called artifacts. These artifacts describe the logical organization of:
- business strategies
- metrics
- business capabilities
- business processes
- information resources
- business systems,
- and networking infrastructure
within the enterprise.

‘Enterprise’ level architectural description:
A complete collection of these artifacts, sufficient to describe the enterprise in useful ways


An Enterprise Architecture framework is a collection of tools, process models, and guidance used by architects to assist in the production of organization-specific architectural description


A good enterprise architecture bring important business benefits, which are clearly visible in the net profit or loss of a company or organization:
A more efficient IT operation:

• Lower software development, support, and maintenance costs
• Increased portability of applications
• Improved interoperability and easier system and network management
• Improved ability to address critical enterprise-wide issues like security
• Easier upgrade and exchange of system components

Better return on existing investment, reduced risk for future investment:

• Reduced complexity in IT infrastructure
• Maximum ROI in existing IT infrastructure
• The flexibility to make, buy, or out-source IT solutions
• Reduced risk overall in new investment, and the costs of IT ownership

Faster, simpler, and cheaper procurement:

• Buying decisions are simpler, because the information governing procurement is readily available in a coherent plan.
• The procurement process is faster - maximizing procurement speed and flexibility without sacrificing architectural coherence.
• The ability to procure heterogeneous, multi-vendor open systems.

Related:

Operating Model (Business Process Integration vs. Standartization)

Operating Model Definition

Sources:
Answers.com/enterprise architecture
OpenGroup/Togaf

Links

Enterprise architecture in a Goverment Leader Perspective