Reflections on Using an Architecture Model for Matching Existing Applications to a Radical Business Requirements Change

In this practice paper, we report the outcomes of a case study in a new Dutch hospital, where enterprise architects are working toward a 'lean' and 'simplified' EA model to align existing IT systems to new requirements. The objective of the case study was to examine if the developed EA model could support architects in selecting components of an existing IT infrastructure for re-use, with regard to radically new requirements. We have developed an EA model in close collaboration with enterprise architects. This study reflects on the use of this model in the hospital. The approach combines analysis of the content in the model, a study of documents in the organization, and communication with the architects. We signal that the existence of an integrated suite for an Electronic Health Record system largely determined how the model was used. Reflection disclosed that a lack of information on requirements and applications, as well as low adaptability of existing systems, negatively affected the flexibility of IT in the organization.