I’ve received questions from many people regarding which books on EA, IT and Business I have found to be of value or no value to me. I try to read something like 5 subject area books a month, apart from that I also read books, magazines and on-line texts on all things fascinating. The list below is in no way a complete list of all the books I’ve read, it’s not even certain that it represents the best books I’ve read. It is a list of books that I know I have drawn upon to generate value for clients and it is a list of books that i think basically suck.
Books that I’ve read more than once and I will read again and again and again…
- Jay Heinrichs Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us about the Art of Persuasion
Jay writes in an awesomely inspiring way about a subject so important. I think we would all do well to read this book. READ, READ, READ… - Martin and Marlies Building an Enterprise Architecture Practice: Tools, Tips, Best Practices, Ready-to-Use Insights (The Enterprise Series)
Sometimes you just have to have a little more hand on approach to things. In this book Martin and Marlies gives practical hands on advice on how to actually go about setting up an enterprise architecture function. The gem in this one is their architecture maturity matrix. - TOGAF Version 9 (TOGAF Series)
Not much to say I’m selling Togaf by the pund as an educator, coach and consultant. I like Togaf because I’ve found that it actually helps architects in their work. I know it’s strengths and weaknesses and I think it would be wise of you to do the same. - Peter Senge The Fifth Discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization: Second edition
Peter opens up our minds to let us experience the worlds around us as systems interacting with each other. This is truly one of the basic gems of knowledge that any architect should aspire to understand. Unfortunately most architects, project managers, developer and managers I’ve met show little understanding on this the systems way of viewing the world. - David C. Hay Requirements Analysis Architecture: from Business Views to Architecture
David has written several books and this is the one closest to heart when I refer people to books in EA. Some say it’s to IS/IT oriented, I say they miss the point. David looks at the world from the Zachman Framework perspective and discusses methodology as well as the history of modeling. David even manages to put two small gems in there, the first on a general project methodology based on Oracles ideas and the second a sweet and short overview on systems thinking based on Stafford Bears ideas. - Alexander Osterwalder Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers
A modern day architecture classic. Alexander sets out to create a visual framework to enable people to co-develop business models. At first glance the book may seem a little bit off topic for any enterprise architect since it has its focus on inventing/innovating business models. However as one study the material one will find that the book is actually about the early stages of enterprise architecture. I’ve successfully used the techniques presented in the book at several clients and in-house to understand the “as-is” and envision “wet-dreams” of business models as well as on lower level team models. - Dan Roam Unfolding the Napkin: The Hands-On Method for Solving Complex Problems with Simple Pictures
Dan a magician at work with a pencil, teaches us to visualize our ideas and understandings in the context of a set of perspectives. The questions are the same as the ones presented by John Zachman in his famous Zachman Enterprise Framework. Dan has cleverly disguised the “boring” parts of doing enterprise architecture behind a well worked out methodology backed up by excellent visualization techniques. What Dan does except from hammering in the message on how to investigate any type of opportunity is teaching us to draw the work in a structured highly visual way. - Paul and Cesare Essential Advantage: How to Win with a Capabilities-Driven Strategy
Paul and Cesare puts a different perspective on the idea of capabilities as the “ultimate” planning entity. Starting from the top they identify a few (ca five) capabilities that would support the owners selected “way to play” in the market. The ideas are intriguing and they clearly show how to work with their method to create a capability portfolio. I don’t agree with all of their ways but it is an interesting set of perspectives that they present. - Chris Potts fruITion: Creating the Ultimate Corporate Strategy for Information Technology
Chris shows the way - Chris Potts RecrEAtion: Realizing the Extraordinary Contribution of Your Enterprise Architects
Chris in this follow up to fruITion extends the reach of enterprise architecture to be what it by name has promised to be the whole time. In his usual style of writing he works through this as a novel. - Ross, Weill, and Robertson Enterprise Architecture as Strategy: Creating a Foundation for Business Execution
Excellent ideas showing techniques fit for purpose when working on the strategic levels. The 4×4 identification and classification structure is really helpful when trying to understand the “architecture” to build. I’ve used this at several clients to discuss and eventually set the outer scope (usually comes down as principles) of the enterprise architecture.
- Roger Sessions Simple Architectures For Complex Enterprises: Best Practices (PRO-best Practices)
Funny thing is that where ever I be, clients ask me to help them partition their enterprise. I always tell them that it is they who must tell me how they would like to view their enterprises. The theories and practical techniques presented by Roger in this book really helps to slice and dice in a structured way. - Tom Kelley The Art Of Innovation: Success Through Innovation the IDEO Way
Tom really shines in explaining the many ways you could go to become innovative. With a strong emphasis on prototyping and hands on working in small groups of highly motivated people IDEO and Tom succeed at what most of us fail again and again. Most architects would do well to study and participate in the innovation, design and communications world. I spent two years working with some of the best in this field in Sweden early 90′s and their ways, energy and devotion to the end product still makes me vibrate. (If you can get a hold of IDEO’s method cards they are just excellent.)
Books that I’ve found to be of less practical value but still might shine down the line
- Ross and Weill IT Savvy: What Top Executives Must Know to Go from Pain to Gain
To be written… - Richard and Fred Managing as Designing
To be written… - TBW
Books that I see no value what so ever in ever considering again
- TBW
- TBW
Your blog post lists “Enterprise Architecture As Strategy” with the authors being Jeanne, Peter, and David. The citation should say that the authors are Ross, Weill, and Robertson. (Surnames).
Same with the listing for Ross and Weill in your “less practical value” list.
It’s a good list.
Thank you for bringing it to my attention Nick.