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Optimizing Architecture Evolution
Rajaram Venkataramani
IT Architect, Cognizant
Dr Rob Oddy
Technical Director, Barclays
IT architecture MUST undergo transformation in any enterprise due to business and technology changes. The goals of different Business and IT stakeholders create a force field that pushes the architecture through transition states during the transformation journey. IT cost and business risk can be minimized if and only if this transformation is optimized for architectural quality attributes. TOGAF ADM specifies a transformation approach to define AS-IS and TO-BE states along with migration plan. But it does not standardize the representation method nor recommend optimization as a specific step in ADM. We have introduced both this in the use of TOGAF for a large payments programme at a leading bank to reap benefits for business and IT. TOGAF does not specify the representation standard but the formalism used for architecture representation is significant because only then optimization algorithms can be used. Mathematical graph is a rigorous and intuitive formalism to use. It also allows encoding from other formalisms such as pi-calculus, semi-formal approaches using UML and informal representations. It is possible to use off-the-shelf algorithms to analyze a graph of architecture for quality attributes – e.g. performance, cost and availability. This analysis allows one to categorize IT decisions based on business value and measure trade-offs. This presentation will focus on applications of these principles in a large real-life case study.
Rajaram Venkataramani
I graduated in 1993 from National Institute of Technology, Trichy, one of the top 10 engineering institutes in India and hold a number of industry accreditations such as Fellow of British Computer Society. I have extensive experience in IT architecture planning, definition, assessment and governance through consultancy work done for leading banks and financial institutions as well as enterprises in other industries. This experience includes complete lifecycle of large and complex IT platforms as Chief Technology Officer and IT Architect. It is my specialization to collaborate with business and IT stakeholders at multiple levels to define transformative business IT strategies. I have led development of innovative assets for optimizing architecture evolution. I have presented papers in a number of industry and academic conferences and hold membership in Global Association of Risk Professionals, Engineering Council UK, International High IQ Society and British Computer Society. I work as IT Architect and Consultant at Cognizant, UK. Outside work, my activities include running, nunchako, philosophy and mathematics. I am married and have one daughter. |
Dr Rob Oddy
As a fully certified TOGAF architect, I have been working on large scale Financial Systems for over 15 years, with the past 3 ½ years specifically focused on Enterprise Architecture. I am a Computer Science graduate of the University of Leeds (the 2nd largest university in the UK) and hold a PhD in Mathematical Sciences of the University of Bath (a top 10 University in the UK). I have spent over 17 years working in various aspects of the IT industry, including spells at Ford Motor Company, ICL, Hitachi Advanced Software, HSBC James Capel and Standard Chartered Bank. I am currently a Technical Director at Barclays Bank, working in the Financial Payments domain, and currently engaged on a large scale global systems replacement project.
Outside of work, I am married with two children, and when time permits I enjoy photography, travel, skiing, cycling and fine wines. |
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