Enterprise Architecture : How does it support innovation?

We believe there to be a possible problem with Enterprise Architecture, in that in using standardizations such as frameworks stifles creativity and innovations, focusing on IT-environments. This assumption is not new as there already are thoughts in existence on this subject, each side discussing if there is a fault or not. Out of our own interest we delve deeper into the subject of Enterprise Architecture to see if there is any truth in our assumption and to see if there is anything anyone can do to compensate or solve this perceived problem. We look into what Enterprise Architecture consists of and examine four different popular frameworks associated with it: TOGAF, FEA, Gartner and Zachman. We learn about creativity in Information Systems organizations and its connection to IT. Our research strategy for this thesis is deduction together with two separate phases, one phase is exploratory and the other descriptive. We examine the nature of creativity and innovation, there too with an emphasis on IT. In order to find out if our assumption is correct we seek out literature, articles and other sources of information on innovations, creativity and frameworks. Armed with this information we seek out and perform interviews with people from large commercial organizations who have hands-on work experience working with Enterprise Architecture in order to see if our assumptions have any form of validity and to gain some insight into the subject matter. The method components for this thesis are literature review, document study and interviews. Analyzed with the help of SWOT we use the data gathered from the interviews to gain a visual representation of the results, to see the pros and cons of Enterprise Architecture. The results show that supplements or tools are used in order to produce or support business innovations, using departments, business related social networks or techniques to compensate. Hampering factors for business innovation can be internal conflicts, struggles between different groups for different EA solutions. Promoting business innovation through EA can come from mixing framework bits together, giving the result of a flexible and adaptive framework. It can also come from acting as a common language and a bridge between different hierarchies. EA aids with difficult decisions, evaluating which alternatives for realization and the order services are realized. Meetings can be used to compensate the lack of creativity and innovation rising from EA. A negative consequence of EA can occur during implementation of things related to EA in larger companies. No examples of companies that failed with creating business innovation in their IT with EA were found.Program: Kandidatutbildning i informati