The Software Architect Elevator

Part VI. Epilogue: Architecting IT Transformation

This book’s main purpose is to encourage IT architects to take an active role in transforming traditional IT organizations that must compete with digital disruptors. “Why are technical architects supposed to take on this enormous task?” you may ask, and rightly so: many managers or IT leaders may have strong communication and leadership abilities that are needed to change organizations. However, today’s digital revolution isn’t just any organizational restructuring, but one that is driven by IT innovation: mobile devices, cloud computing, data analytics, wireless networking, and the Internet of Things, to name a few. Leading an organization into the digital future therefore necessitates a thorough understanding of the underlying technologies along with their application for competitive advantage.

Game On

Due to network effects, many digital business models follow a winner-takes-all dynamic: Google owns search, Facebook owns social, Amazon owns fulfillment and cloud, Netflix and Amazon jointly own content. Apple and Google’s Android own mobile. Google tried to get into social and floundered. Microsoft struggles in search and essentially withdrew from mobile. Amazon also struggled in mobile just like Google repeatedly dabbled in fulfillment without seeing a lot of traction. In cloud computing even almighty Google is at best a runner-up with Amazon holding on to a significant lead.

Following this battle of the titans from the sidelines ...