A primer — After writing many blogs and articles about architecture, I realised I needed to explain precisely what architecture is. It was remiss of me as some may need to know, and others may be curious. I am describing it here. Let's look at architecture's origins, value, definitions, disciplines, methods, artefacts, governance…

Emanations of the Philosophy of Life Instinct Read the poem aloud, dear reader, and you’ll find a rhythm and enjoy it more than reading it silently. Where Does It Feel Like Home? My eyes open in pretty Interlaken at dawn The hotel’s been lovely, and two days gone It’s beautiful like many places we roam But why does none…

I don't want you to think too much about your writing. Leave the thinking to me, for overthought can be as much a bane as a boon (and that'll be the subject of my next piece). You go ahead and dash out your stuff with passion and immersion. So, most…

One of the holy grails for an Enterprise Architect is a document (including or accompanied by diagrams and spreadsheets) that captures everything in the Information Technology domain of the organisation. This core EA artefact is the current Enterprise Architecture & Technology Document, abbreviated to EATD. As everything in an organisation…

An architecture essay — Your enterprise has an architecture, but without a good Enterprise Architecture Practice, it's unlikely you are doing as well as you can. We can also call it the organisation’s Enterprise Architecture (EA) capability, competency, framework, or engine. Let’s assume you know the value of Enterprise Architecture designing and have the…

Essays on language & writing — The importance of catchy lines Lovely phrases and lines are like lollies or cupcakes we come across as we savour or endure a story. They provide bursts of pleasure that take a book or blog from good to great or relieve the tedium of an informative piece we must get through. As writers, it's our…

Digging up my old stories for new readers… —

Architecture essays — IT Architecture must embrace ethics. And it will only result in improved business success as healthy social outcomes ensure a company’s and brand’s value and attraction. If only in self-interest, enterprises must insist their technology improves the world or at least does it no harm. Let's say we have the…

Mind your language — I love English, with its myriad influences and ability to express many shades of meaning (although other languages are no slouches in that, e.g., Urdu and French that I know of). Metaphors give power, similes add a dash of colour, and colloquialisms provide infinite variety and interest. Abbreviations and mnemonics…