New Year, New Ideas!

January rings in a new year filled with possibilities.

What new ideas are you generating as a Technology Solution Leader?

Here is a quick checklist to get your ideas out of your head and into full implementation:


  1. Do your ideas (concrete or abstract) include key benefits?
  2. Where are your ideas coming from?  Are you including leadership, stakeholders, portfolio managers?  How about public, consumers, social media, and other populations such as competitors?
  3. Are you balancing ideas with the feasibility of actually implementing them?
  4. How are  your ideas being communicated?  Do you have a champion, communication plan, and the necessary business disciple to drive the idea to successful implementation?

Get started with your technology solution leadership ideas today!

Cloud + Mobile + Social: why the plain ole Cloud isn't enough


The Solutionist must include a strategy for Mobile and Social along with a Cloud Computing strategy.  Here's why:   

Your business demands solutions that reduce total cost of ownership.  You must provide solutions that are business-focused, nimble, scalable.  Solutions must be mobile.  Solutions must connect teams (co-workers / customers).

EA stack for Cloud + Mobile + Social
Cloud Computing:  NIMBY (not in my backyard)

Cloud Computing is here whether or not you've decided on it.  Solutions provide a solid TCO story.
•Use “hosted”, pre-built, configurable business tools to get going quickly
•Provides secured access to shared computer systems, kind of like we all share electricity or water
•Pay only for what you use:  scale, scale, scale
•Implement robust systems without a large capital investment in computer resources (infrastructure/people)
•Adapt quickly to changing trends

Solutions readily available for CRM, ERP, and back office solutions.  See Google Apps, Microsoft Online, salesforce.com, and many other cloud solutions for business applications.

Cloud + Mobile:  Anywhere, Here, Now

In addition to mobile hardware and carrier solutions, The Solutionist must determine the mobile application solution
•Users are mobile
•Tap into growing location-based solutions
•Technology innovation growing faster for mobile than for PCs

Coupons, Offers, Maps, directions, Voice Calls, Texting, Internet access, “Apps”, Any mobile device

Cloud + Mobile + Social:  With Co-workers & Customers

Rapid changes in SEO and virtual teams create opportunities for The Solutionist to go social
•Users are social
•Integrate with tools they are already using
•Reduce the number of clicks it takes to get work done
•Use the power of social tools to create viral interests
•Document management, SEO (search engine optimization) through social tools (based on number of “likes”)
•Get feedback from users
•Location based solutions for teams


Technology Management for Small Business

Think solution architecture is only for big business? Take a moment to see how solution leadership works for small business too:

Welcome!

Welcome to the ultimate Technology Solution Leadership blog.  Here you will find straight-forward advice from “The Solutionist” on how to create long term value through technology solutions.

If you are an aspiring solution architect or IT manager, take a look at this digest on how to design and lead solutions.  You will learn how to acquire and implement solutions that align with the enterprise strategy, business, and IT goals.  You will be able to create an enterprise architecture which provides clear-value solutions evidenced in an IT scorecard.

The Solutionist focuses on the enterprise architecture and system development life cycle(s) required to acquire and implement solutions and create long term value to the enterprise.


Before getting started you may want a background on some definitions:  



Introduction

The Solutionist creates value by providing alignment in three areas:

  • Solution Process
  • Enterprise Architecture
  • Business Domain Areas



A Solution Process is the set of standards and methodologies used by the enterprise to ensure business ideas ultimately lead to solutions that create long term value.  


Agreeing the solution process is important because it creates a common language for the entire team.
  
A framework for the Enterprise Architecture aligns technology areas to be addressed for all solutions including integrations across multiple solutions.  All solutions address each layer, special care is given to the integrations and dependencies required across solutions.

  • Business process
  • Data
  • Applications
  • Technology
Business Domain Areas provide functional opportunities for the solution.  This is a broad topic controlled by the nature of the enterprise, such as its size, industry, and maturity. 


Solutions are selected and sized based on the long term value provided to the enterprise.

For purposes of this article, business domains have been grouped into four areas.  Note:  this is not an indication of organization or system implementation but rather a grouping of functions for illustrative purposes.


Executive, Business Intelligence, Public Relations

  • Executive Team, Board of Directors 
  • Communication and Public Relations 
  • Economics, Politics, Society and Culture, International Relations 
  • Risk Management and Disaster Planning 
  • Social Responsibility, Environmental Impacts and Hazards 
  • Information and Knowledge Management, Business Intelligence 
Business Development, Commercial Team, Customers
  • Business Development 
  • Marketing and Brand Management 
  • Creative and Advertising 
  • Innovation & Strategy 
  • Research, Product Development and Engineering 
  • Sales, Customer Management, Customer Experience 
Operations
  • Strategic sourcing 
  • Manufacturing, Distribution, Logistics, Customs 
  • Customer Service 
  • Quality Control, Standards, Methodologies, Continuous Improvement 
Administrative
  • Legal, Intellectual Property, Agreements, Contracts, Insurance, Negotiations, Conflicts 
  • Administration, People, Human Resources 
  • Learning Management and Employee Training 
  • Accounting and Finance 
  • Compliance 
  • Security & Safety 
  • Information Technology & Telecommunications 
  • Records Management, Documentation


Solution Ideation

Ideas for solutions form if there is a problem to be solved.  The process of soliciting, generating, designing, and communicating ideas start with Solution Ideation.


Solution Ideation is important in creating long term value because ideas are aligned to business problems as defined by solicited sources.

The Solutionist starts with an idea (concrete or abstract) which becomes the key message and should include key benefits, important for communicating the need for a solution.
 


Idea Solicitation









There is an emerging trend to solicit ideas from the public, consumers, social networks, and other large populations in addition to traditional methods of getting ideas from leadership, stakeholders, and portfolio managers.




Idea Generation
Ideas are generated based on a prioritization scheme.  Sometimes a broad base such as customers, consumers, and end users are asked to suggest and votes on ideas, assuming ideas with broad appeal are good.  Traditionally ideas are generated using a variety of methods:
  • SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, threats)
  • Mandates, such as legal or contractual requirements
  • Business Goals that "cascade" or breakdown into specific solution ideas 
The feasibility of an idea is studied for its practicality:
  • Engineering/Business Fit (benefits, probability of adopton)
  • Cost
  • Time



Idea Design
If an idea looks good and looks feasible, it can be designed at a high level.  This is not to be confused as a technical schematic, but rather a visionary "story board" of what the solution would provide.  Often a Business Case document is completed to describe the idea and to demonstrate its potential value.
  • Concept, Story board, Prototype
  • Business Benefits
  • Financials including return on investment (ROI)
  • Estimate to Complete
  • Integrations and Dependencies
  • Risks
  • Alternatives

Communicating Ideas
This is typically the most cumbersome step.  Many a great idea goes nowhere because its champions don't communicate the idea in to the right people with the right information.  Ideas that are good, have a high level design, and a compelling business case also need:
  • Champion - person or team who believes in the idea and has the positional and referent authority to influence the decision-makers to approve the idea.
  • Communication plan - clear messages, meetings, schedules, conversations to ensure champions, decision makers, and stakeholders understand the idea
  • Business discipline - leadership support of the ideation and decision making processes


Creating Solution Opportunities

The Solutionist creates Solution Opportunities for each Business Domain.  Start by determining domains based on the organization, size, industry, and maturity of the enterprise.  Opportunities have varying spans and structures based on these needs.

For purposes of this article, business domains have been grouped into four areas.  Note:  this is not an indication of organization or system implementation but rather a grouping of functions for illustrative purposes.

  • Executive, Business Intelligence, Public Relations
  • Business Development, Commercial Team, Customers
  • Operations
  • Administrative

Opportunity Span
There are many common services that apply across most domains, for example employee access to a personal computer or telephone.  Some services apply to one or two domains such as accounts payable.  Some domains roll up to or integrate with other functions, thereby requiring a common architecture.  Some business functions are repeatable with predictable inputs and outputs, thus easier to automate.

Opportunity Structure
Historically, administrative and operational functions have been automated through technology solutions due to their repeatability and predictability.  Recent trends in technology including business intelligence, social networks, mobile devices, collaboration tools, and cloud computing provide solutions for more dynamic applications.

Break It Down!
For a large organization it is nearly impossible to map out all existing and desired solutions while assuring common services and proper integrations.  But we can try!

  • Inventory the high level functions for each domain
  • Document solution opportunities


Example Solution Opportunity List

Executive, Business Intelligence, Public Relations



Business Development, Commercial Team, Customers


Operations


Administrative