Hosted by Deirdre Caren on Agora Insight's Blueprints for Success - Business Architecture and AI
In our recent conversation with Joseph Edward, we explored the transformative power of business architecture (BA) and technology as tools for uplifting communities. Joseph, with his rich background spanning from education to IT leadership, shared his unique insights on how technology can serve as a strategic enabler rather than just a back-office tool. His journey from teaching in Sri Lanka to spearheading IT initiatives in Canada offers a wealth of knowledge on the role of BA in driving meaningful change.
Background
Joseph Edward's professional path is marked by a series of pivotal roles that shaped his understanding of business architecture. From his early days as a math teacher to his tenure at the Roman Catholic Diocese of London, ON, Canada where he established the first IT department, Joseph has always viewed technology as a strategic enabler.
Joseph's academic foundation began with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. His career trajectory took an unconventional route from teaching mathematics to embracing information technology after relocating to Canada, where he completed a Computer Science degree at Concordia University in Montreal.
Joseph's professional story is one of strategic innovation and leadership. He established the first IT department at the Roman Catholic Diocese of London, where he crafted their inaugural IT vision and strategy. His role as the Chief Information Officer for the City of London, Ontario, further honed his skills in aligning technology with business goals. At London Life insurance company, now Great-West Life, he deepened his expertise in BA.
In 2014, Joseph founded Invorg, focusing on aiding small to mid-sized businesses in their digital transformation journeys. His approach is rooted in a belief that technology should serve as a strategic enabler, uplifting communities and enhancing organizational capabilities. Joseph's work exemplifies the transformative power of combining technological insight with a passion for community betterment.
3 Key Topics
1. The Importance of Business Architecture:
Joseph's insights reaffirmed the significance of BA as a strategic imperative for organizations. His conviction that technology should serve as a strategic enabler rather than merely a back-office tool resonated strongly with me. The notion that a comprehensive understanding of an organization's capabilities is foundational to any meaningful digital transformation highlights the indispensable role of BA. It acts as a blueprint, guiding and informing the pathways through which an organization can achieve its goals and objectives. This strategic framework is not just about implementing new technologies; it's about fostering a holistic view that aligns with the organization's mission and vision.
2. Business Architecture with AI:
Looking ahead, Joseph sees BA evolving to incorporate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). These tools can enhance the efficiency and comprehensiveness of BA practices, providing deeper insights into organizational capabilities and informing the digital transformation process.
The idea that AI and ML could potentially reduce the time it takes to develop a business' architecture from years to days is a game-changer. It suggests a future where business architects can leverage these tools to gain deeper insights and more efficiently align organizational capabilities with the demands of a rapidly changing digital economy. However, this evolution also implies a need for business architects to continuously develop new skills to effectively harness these advanced technologies.
3. Supporting the Community Through Technology:
Joseph's passion for uplifting communities through innovative digital solutions was particularly inspiring. His company, Invorg, focuses on enhancing the business capabilities of non-profits and local governments, which are often the lifeblood of communities. This approach exemplifies the practical value of business architecture in real-world scenarios. By empowering these organizations to serve their stakeholders more effectively, Joseph demonstrates how technology can be a force for good, aligning with the organization's mission to improve people's lives.
10 Learning Points
- Passion is key to becoming a great business architect; without it, success in the field is limited.
- Big-picture thinking is essential for business architects to understand and envision the organization's overall framework.
- Business architecture must adapt to emerging technologies to stay relevant and effective.
- AI and ML can expedite the business architecture process, turning months or years of work into days.
- Business architects should develop new skills to leverage AI and ML in their practices effectively.
- Digital transformation should start with understanding business capabilities before introducing technology solutions.
- The future of business architecture involves not only designing current organizational structures but also anticipating future changes and needs.
- Business architects can use AI and ML to gain insights into organizational challenges and their root causes.
- Effective business architecture can break down silos within an organization, fostering a more collaborative culture.
- Technology should be used to uplift humanity and improve people's lives, aligning with the mission of the organizations it serves.
Close
Joseph Edward's insights provide a compelling narrative on the intersection of business architecture, technology, and community development. His unique perspective underscores the potential for technology to be a strategic enabler when applied with a clear vision and purpose. As we reflect on the conversation, it's evident that the future of technology is not just about the technology itself, but how it can be harnessed to uplift and transform communities, making a lasting positive impact on society.
Chat again next week :)
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More about Joseph Edward
An award-winning visionary leader and IT veteran with a passion for community. I aim to improve communities in everything I do: through my work at INVORG, my charity work, my hiring philosophy, and in the way I interact with people every day. My vision is to uplift communities through technology.
I founded INVORG, a trusted innovation partner helping public service entities transform, in 2014. My vision for the company is to uplift communities through technology. Innovation is at the heart of everything we do.
We specialize in transforming public service entities like government, healthcare, education, and not-for-profits. We help our clients save costs and improve service delivery -- in short, we connect them to whom they serve. We offer CIO as a service, digital transformation strategy, expert-managed IT services, and end-to-end CRM implementation.
Together we will boost employee morale and productivity, increase customer satisfaction, improve organizational accountability and transparency, and streamline internal efficiencies -- resulting in significant annual cost savings.
Uplifting the community is at the heart of everything we do. INVORG develops meaningful opportunities for people who have faced challenges in their career, including unemployed, underemployed, and newcomers's transform your organization together.
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