Using Enterprise Architecture (EA) as a Business-IT Strategy Alignment for Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs)

This is an introductory paper that discusses components of EA that have been recently adopted in HEIs as a business-IT alignment strategy. It is imperative for universities to meet changing and increasing demands effectively. HEIs acquire new technologies as student demands evolve, thereby causing business processes and other student activities to revolve around the technologies they acquire; for example, new e-Learning technologies, Citrix servers, and integrated-management systems. These institutions find the challenges and opportunities these technologies bring overwhelming which result in some level of misalignment with original business goals and strategy. These technological add-ons easily scotch the free flow of processes, staff, and resources needed to function. Having a master plan or a formal architecture at the start of business is very difficult but inevitable. This idea is compared to having a master model for a new building, a new urban dwelling or an aeroplane. These usually have architectures or blueprints before construction or design so that upgrades can be easily accomplished. HEIs tend to solve problems using ad hoc solutions without a holistic view of the organisation. Enterprise Architecture is reviewed in this study to understand how it can be used to align the business needs of HEIs and IT strategy