Use of Enterprise Architecture to Improve Strategic Planning and Alignment of Information Systems: A Case Stud

For the last 30 years the concept of enterprise architecture (EA) has been proposed as an approach to aid information technology (IT) executives in making appropriate, strategic IT decisions that can meet the organization's information systems (IS) requirements. Scholars and practitioners claim EA provides the necessary insight to address the increasing complexities IT introduces into an organization that challenges effective technology adoption and integration in support of developing IS. This study took an analytical approach to explore and examine empirical materials collected from the Commonwealth of Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA) and the National Association of State Chief Information Officers to understand VITA's effective use of EA. The study concluded that VITA effectively adapted and institutionalized EA as a framework to support the chief information officer's decision-making process. As such, VITA presented potential and viable solutions that introduced appropriate technology to enable the e-government strategy. In addition, VITA IT executives collaborated to translate business strategies into IT strategies to exploit the full technology potential and, in effect, establish appropriate enterprise information systems that improve e-government service delivery to its citizens. This case study revealed that VITA's EA adaption served as an effective approach. This approach primarily focused on providing the required insight to support the strategic decision-making process that is integrated with the tactical technology implementation process.