Terrain

There has never been a more exciting period to be a technologist. Yet, simultaneously, America is experiencing an incredible dumbing down. According to science pollster Jon D. Miller of Northwestern University, one in every five Americans believes that the sun revolves around the earth. President George W. Bush believes intelligent design ought to be taught in science classes as an alternative to evolution even though, unlike any other scientific theory, scientists cannot test for the presence of design, nor can they disprove the presence of design.

We are living in times of intense change. New products and services are increasingly emerging and being interconnected at a prodigious rate. Technology continues to permeate all aspects of business and society. Yet, how can we hope to compete in the 21st century unless we pursue technology more aggressively?

I have repeatedly challenged IT organizations -- both within government as well as within commercial industry -- to leverage Enterprise Architecture. Moreover, I have continuously emphasized the importance of initially focusing on the Technology Architecture terrain. Remember, in any fight between a grizzly and an alligator, I can guarantee that the outcome will depend on the terrain. Similarly, in harnessing business processes, business objects, and business solutions, I can guarantee the outcome will depend on the terrain. Define it. Map it. Communicate it. Simplify it.