Episode 6 FORGE first steps: Find and Observe.

This lecture explores the essential first steps in successful digital transformation: identifying and understanding the enterprise landscape. It highlights the importance of establishing a clear baseline by discovering key components, stakeholders, and hidden assets—including informal systems like Shadow IT—and mapping their interdependencies. By adopting a structured approach focused on listening, observing, and documenting without premature analysis, organizations can uncover critical insights that drive effective decision-making and strategic planning. The methodology empowers enterprise architects to facilitate organizational growth and adaptability, laying a foundation for lasting transformation success.

The Core Problem of Digital Transformation

Organizations undertaking digital transformation often struggle to capture an accurate and holistic view of their enterprise landscape. Traditional reporting and documentation methods may hide critical assets, stakeholder relationships, and interdependencies, leading to missed opportunities and inefficiencies. To address this, a structured approach focused on establishing a clear baseline of reality is essential for successful transformation initiatives.

The transformation journey fundamentally begins with gaining comprehensive awareness of hidden assets, key stakeholders, and complex interdependencies within the enterprise. It is also important to identify informal structures such as "Shadow IT," analyze behavioral patterns, and understand the intricate network of relationships that form the enterprise’s operational "Nervous System."

Key Insights

The "Find" Stage: Establishing a Baseline

The "Find" stage concentrates on discovering the organization's crucial components and engaging stakeholders across all levels. Rather than limiting conversations to top executives, it is valuable to include a diverse set of around 8 to 10 key stakeholders to capture a well-rounded perspective.

During this stage, observations should be logged carefully without diving into deep analysis or critique. Encouraging stakeholders to share mission statements, existing documentation, and perspectives on assets helps build a foundational map of the enterprise landscape. Using tools like AI-assisted voice-to-text can facilitate thorough and efficient documentation.

Spotting elements of informal technology usage—commonly referred to as "Shadow IT"—is vital, as these can indicate hidden capabilities or unmet needs. The goal is to document concerns and insights without prematurely diagnosing problems, preserving openness and clarity.

The "Observe" Stage: Mapping Interdependencies

Once core elements and stakeholders are identified, the focus shifts to examining how these components interrelate. This involves mapping interdependencies to uncover how systems, processes, and people connect and influence each other.

Beyond static organizational charts, this stage emphasizes observing usage patterns and behaviors that provide deeper operational insights. Informally noting where systems are located, how software is utilized, and the role various tools play helps build a dynamic picture.

Maintaining a high-level perspective is essential here to avoid getting bogged down in details, ensuring that the analysis remains clear and actionable. Mapping these interdependencies often reveals pain points and bottlenecks, highlighting areas needing attention or further exploration in subsequent phases.

Why This Matters

Establishing an accurate and detailed understanding of the enterprise landscape through these stages is crucial for directing effective digital transformation. This foundational knowledge allows organizations to evaluate their current state realistically, prioritize improvements, and set measurable goals for return on investment.

Enterprise architects act as "Enterprise Interpreters," facilitating the emergence of insights that enable organizational growth and adaptability. By adopting this methodology, leaders gain a comprehensive view that supports informed decision-making and strategic planning, balancing immediate operational needs with long-term transformation ambitions.

Listen and Go Deeper

For those interested in exploring these concepts further, there are additional resources available including a detailed whitepaper, an in-depth lecture, and a dedicated website focused on this methodology. These materials provide valuable guidance for digital transformation practitioners, enterprise architects, and organizational leaders seeking to deepen their understanding.

Further Exploration

Additional resources and materials are available for those looking to expand their knowledge on bridging strategy, architecture, and transformation practices.