Last Updated: 07 April 2023

What is Open Agile Architecture?

The Open Group's latest standard, Open Agile Architecture™ offers an approach to architect at scale with agility. Here is a beginner's guide to Open Agile Architecture.

Keyword(s): Open Agile Architecture, The Open Group

The digital enterprise is shaped by individuals working within the context of the organization and culture of an enterprise that must evolve towards agility on a large scale. Digital transformation is happening across the world. Every day businesses are taking the step online to take advantage of this new market to see how they can benefit. By inventing new business models, developing digital products, architecting highly automated operating systems, and delivering superior customer expertise, agile teams drive the enterprise's Digital Transformation.

The Open Group published a new standard to provide guidance and best practices for enterprise architects transitioning to Agile methodologies for digital transformation. President of The Open Group, Steve Nunn, stated the Open Agile Architecture standard will become a new "important tool in the toolbox of an enterprise architect" and address a market need to make use of the advantages of enterprise architecture within the more fast and nimble way of Agile methodologies.

What is this standard?

The Open Group took on the longstanding debate raging over the relationship and compatibility between Agile and enterprise architecture methodologies with the publication of its Open Agile Architecture standard. Open Agile Architecture, a standard of The Open Group, provides an approach to architect at scale with agility. The primary concept is doing enterprise architecture in an Agile fashion. That's precisely what this standard is about. It offers best practices and guidance for Enterprise Architects looking to transition into Digital and Agile contexts.

Chris Forde, vice president of enterprise architecture at The Open Group, stated this standart would serve as a complement, rather than a replacement, for the extra mature TOGAF standard. He mentioned the brand new Agile Architecture Framework standard provides an approach to architect at scale with agility, where digital and Agile transformation goes hand in hand.

Andrew Josey, VP of standards at The Open Group, stated efforts to deploy Agile at scale are too usually done at the expense of architecture. Agile groups drive the enterprise's Digital Transformation by inventing new business models, delivering superior customer experiences, creating digital products, and architecting highly automated operating systems. It provides guidance and best practices for Enterprise Architects seeking to transition into Agile and Digital contexts. The Open Group envisions two levels of training on Open Agile Architecture with potential certifications for Open Agile Architecture group members and Open Agile Architecture practitioners.

Who is the Agile Architecture Framework important to?

A new standard of The Open Group-Open Agile Architecture was designed for all business stakeholders in mind. The new framework's audience includes:

• Enterprise Architects who want to extend their scope of influence in an Agile at scale world
• Business Leaders and Managers who want to drive the enterprise's Agile and Digital change journey
• Product Owners who want to accelerate the transformation from managing feature backlog to steering value delivery
• Product Managers who want to help transform innovate products, customer experience, and generate growth
• Software Engineers who want to leverage the power of digital technologies to co-innovate with the organization
• Operations Managers who want to enable them to leverage Lean and automation to generate competitive advantages

What is in the Agile Architecture Framework?

We live in an information age where technology is constantly advancing. We're surrounded by 

, your group can capitalize on this accelerated studying cycle, meaning your Agile and Digital capabilities constantly and simultaneously co-create each other.

The Agile Architecture Framework covers different topics like creating continuous architecture in an agile world, discovering and analyzing customer insights, designing business models, developing digital offerings, architecting digital platforms and etc.

This framework has four parts:

• Agile Architecture Fundamentals – these fundamentals introduce the key concepts and give an overview of the document and
• Playbooks – playbooks provide guidelines to solve an agile architecture problem.
• Architecture Patterns – these patterns describe solution types to solve different problem types.
• Methods – methods develop a meta methodology discourse on relevant methods.

Overall, we can say that this standard helps organizations to understand the importance of renewing and changing their EA so it is fit for the digital age.

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 Marcin Chmielewski - Blog Author 
He has extensive IT knowledge combined with enthusiasm for digital marketing.
His extensive experience and knowledge come from many years of working for large corporations. Associated with Information Technology since the beginning of his career, he has qualifications in the fields of team management, Enterprise Architecture, IT Service Management, databases, application servers, and operating systems.
His hobbies include traveling, skiing, and hiking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Open Agile Architecture?
   Open Agile Architecture (OAA) is a set of principles, practices, and tools designed to enable organizations to be more adaptive, resilient, and responsive to change. By embracing an open, agile approach to enterprise architecture, businesses can rapidly respond to market shifts, customer demands, and technological innovations while maintaining a focus on delivering value and achieving strategic goals.
2. How does Open Agile Architecture differ from traditional enterprise architecture approaches?
   Traditional enterprise architecture approaches often involve rigid, top-down processes that can be slow to adapt to changes in the business environment. Open Agile Architecture, on the other hand, promotes an iterative, flexible, and collaborative approach to architecture design, with a focus on continuous improvement and adaptation to new challenges. OAA emphasises collaboration between cross-functional teams, rapid delivery of incremental value, and the ability to respond effectively to change.
3. How can my organisation benefit from adopting Open Agile Architecture?
   Implementing Open Agile Architecture can provide your organisation with several benefits, such as:
   - Improved responsiveness to market changes and customer needs.
   - Enhanced collaboration and communication across teams and departments.
   - Streamlined decision-making processes through increased transparency and adaptability.
   - Reduced risk of failed projects by enabling early detection and resolution of issues.
   - Accelerated innovation through the adoption of new technologies and practises.
4. Is Open Agile Architecture compatible with existing enterprise architecture frameworks and methodologies?
   Yes, Open Agile Architecture can be integrated with existing enterprise architecture frameworks and methodologies, such as TOGAF, Zachman, or FEAF. The principles and practices of OAA can be used to enhance and complement your organization's existing architecture approach, enabling a more agile and adaptive way of working without requiring a complete overhaul of your current processes.
5. How can my organisation start implementing Open Agile Architecture?
   To begin implementing an Open Agile Architecture, consider the following steps:
   - Gain executive buy-in and support for adopting an agile, open approach to enterprise architecture.
   - Identify key stakeholders, including architects, developers, and business leaders, to form a cross-functional team responsible for driving the adoption of OAA.
   - Assess your organization's current architecture practices and identify areas where greater agility and openness can be introduced.
   - Develop a roadmap for transitioning to an open, agile architecture approach, including training, tools, and processes.
   - Begin implementing OAA principles and practices incrementally, continuously evaluating and adjusting your approach as needed.