The document discusses how aligning business and IT strategies across all levels of an organization's enterprise architecture can produce cost savings. It presents diagrams illustrating how business and IT strategies can flow through and align the different levels, from enterprise infrastructure to applications. Operational maturity is correlated with savings opportunities. A methodology is described for measuring current maturity levels, identifying savings potential, and improving processes to deliver savings of over 20% by focusing activities on business goals and strategies. Examples are given of cost reductions achieved through this approach on past projects.

1. ARCHITECTURE AND
OPERATIONS MATURITY
SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES
Architecture and IT Alignment and operational and
Optimization savings opportunities

2. The diagrams above illustrate how Business strategy and IT strategy should and can be applied at all levels
Depicted in the diagram as the Enterprise Architecture flows throughout in the orange section portion of the diagram.
It relates business strategy and administration and IT Strategy to all levels of the Enterprise Architecture.
It is covered in more detail in the next sections.

3. The diagram above is focused on the applications layer of the model the business and it benefits are outlined on the right.

4. The diagram above is focused on the Application Enabling Infrastructure / Architecture Services,
the business and it benefits are outlined on the right

5. The diagram above is focused on the Enterprise Infrastructure Services, and the Computer Hardware, Storage, Network
and Cloud layer, the business and it benefits are outlined on the right

6. Employing a strategy which is influenced at all levels on business goals and a common architecture, produces savings by
focusing all activities to the vision and measures which are all related to the business strategy. Each item at each level can be
referenced to the business goals and can be stated in terms in terms of the contribution of each item to the business goals.
Each section has been outlined in terms of the Business and IT work supports the business goals. This insures delivery of
corporate strategy, and thus works with each item to provide the desired results. This enables work at each level to be
understood by all IT efforts, and as a result provides the means to report to organization leadership’s goals.
All levels of the IT architecture are in line with enterprise goals and can be stated separately, and enable better executive
reporting or for outsourcing of activities with clear measures. It provides direction to insure the IT changes from application
development down to data center operations and the ability to leverage cloud services and SaaS.
The following diagrams illustrates the Business and IT benefits of using this IT Enterprise approach at each level of the
Business and IT Architecture.
The section which follows outlines the architecture benefits related to the maturity of IT operations as well as optimization
savings available and how maturity can drive cost savings based on the focus of operational functions. It has a sever focus
but is also a valuable tool for Data Center operations, and has been used many times generating savings of over 20% savings.

8. Cost reduction estimates were harvested from Microsoft's IOI initiative.

9. Operational IT Maturity in the table above has a direct effect on Saving IT Spending, such as the costs outlined below.
Cost reduction estimates were harvested from Microsoft's IOI initiative.

10. IT staff taxed by operational
challenges
Users come up with their
own IT solutions
IT Staff trained in best
practices such as MOF, ITIL,
etc.
Users expect basic services
from IT
IT Staff manages an
efficient, controlled
environment
Users have tools they need,
high availability, & access to
information
IT is a strategic asset
Users look to IT as a valued
partner to enable new
business initiatives
IT processes undefined
High complexity due to
localized processes & minimal
central control
Central Admin &
config of security
Standard desktop images
defined,
not adopted
company-wide
SLAs are linked to business
objectives
Clearly defined and enforced
images, security, best
practices (MOF, ITIL)
Self assessing & continuous
improvement
Information easily & securely
accessed from anywhere on
Internet
Patch status of desktops is
unknown
No unified directory for
access management
Multiple directories for
authentication
Limited automated software
distribution
Automate identity and access
management
Automated system
management
Self provisioning and
quarantine capable systems
ensure compliance & high
availability
Above is the Microsoft Infrastructure Optimization model The
basis for the maturity cost savings outlined savings estimates.

11. Hardware / Software
Total Direct Costs
End User Productivity
& Downtime
(Indirect Cost)
Total TCO
Administration
Operations
$1,258
$394
$366
$2,017
$1,306
$3,323
$1,406
$734
$428
$2,568
$2,952
$5,520
$1,366
$617
$373
$2,356
$2,450
$4,806
16% 36%
13% 31%
8% 14%
Microsoft model estimated savings opportunities
through maturity

13. The methodology above was used to measure, improve and deliver the savings opportunities. I developed this approach which was used
in the projects to measure the potential savings and costs, which produced savings for numerous clients and became a standard
offering for Avanade Canada.

14. The methodology above was used to measure, improve and deliver the savings opportunities. I developed this approach which was used in
the projects to measure the potential savings and costs, which produced savings for numerous clients and became a standard offering for
Avanade Canada.

15. Example client results of a project which I personally managed, using the methods and measures outlined above.

16. Microsoft document