Projects tend to perceive architecture as difficult and slow. Waterfall projects see the endless diagrams and documents as a necessary evil and will ignore them if they can. Agile projects see architecture constantly blocking progress by pausing for detailed option analysis and will sprint on regardless. The result is that architecture becomes something to avoid at all costs.

This session will show how SA Power Networks decided to reimagine the role of architecture - from top to bottom - to rebuild trust and relevance across the business:

-         Shifting away from process & artefact towards cooperation and assistance

-         Shifting focus from technology answers towards business outcomes & risk management

-         Creating a safe space for inquiry, critique and challenge

-         Loosening the ties of architectural control and encouraging open conversations

-         Encouraging new behaviours amongst the architecture team

• Making the right decisions at the right time

Do Enterprise Architects need to become design thinkers? Is this an essential skill in the arsenal, or is this best left to other business units? This panel discussion will provide attendees an opportunity to hear from EA’s about how they attempt to identify how design thinking can be leveraged within EA to direct customer-led business outcomes:

• The strengths of Design Thinking to excel customer understanding and HCD principles within EA practices
• How EAs can practically apply Design Thinking to steer business strategy and translate customer needs into a relevant component of a digital strategy
• Benefits for the business of aligning architecture ‘outside-in’ to customer needs to remain relevant, respond and predict external changes in consumer behaviour