Case Study: Establishing Architecture Function & Governance
Sector
Finance
Service
Architecture & Design Centre of Excellence
Engagement Length
6 Months
Client Overview:
- Annual Income: £70M
- Customers: 10,000+
- Employees: ~350
- Operations: UK
The Challenge
A mid-sized financial institution sought independent expertise to establish a formal enterprise architecture (EA) function from the ground up — including governance, tooling, and improved maturity across architectural practices.
Objectives
- Conduct a baseline architecture maturity assessment and implement an uplift strategy
- Define core architecture processes, templates, and ways of working
- Establish robust architecture governance and review structures
- Facilitated discovery workshops with IT, business, and leadership stakeholders
- Conducted an in-depth assessment of existing architecture capabilities and gaps
- Developed a centralized architecture repository using SharePoint
- Designed and implemented fit-for-purpose architecture templates and processes
- Defined and established governance forums including the Architecture Review Board (ARB) and Technical Design Authority (TDA)
Our Approach
The Outcome
- Architecture maturity score increased significantly from 0.6 to 3.5 (on a 5-point scale)
- Formal architecture processes, templates, and standards embedded across the organization
- Business Capability Model introduced to align technology strategy with business goals
- Governance forums successfully launched and operationalized
- Full endorsement and sign-off by the CTO
