IDC PlanScape: Application Architecture to Support Innovation and Agility

This IDC study details the importance of application architecture to support innovation and agility."Application architecture is a critical element of strategic architecture and might be the best starting point as IT leaders and organizations define and work toward strategic architecture," says Niel Nickolaisen, adjunct research advisor with IDC's IT Executive Programs (IEP).

IDC PlanScape Figure

Executive Summary

Why Is Application Architecture Important?

What Is Application Architecture?

Who Are the Key Stakeholders?

How Can My Organization Take Advantage of Application Architecture?

• Characteristics of the Target Architecture
  • Innovation
  • Reusability
  • Replaceability
  • Purpose
• Getting Started
  • Business Architecture (a Nice-to-Have)
  • Application Inventory (a Must-Have)
  • Form an Application Architecture Team
  • Assess the Inventory
  • Formulate the Application Architecture
  • Socialize the Process and Results
  • Prioritize Next Steps
  • Implement
• An Example of Application Architecture

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