Extending IT-based competitive strategy framework using architecture vision and business architecture of TOGAF Architecture Development Method (ADM)

Aligning IT solutions with business requirements has been and continues to be a major problem in IT management. Despite the variety of the comprehensive IT business alignment frameworks available, many enterprises struggle with the implementation because of the excessive resource requirements and the high complexity processes. The difficulties of applying the existing frameworks and/or methodology are even more challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) because of the limited resources and capabilities in SMEs. Yet, the right IT implementation in SMEs provides the same benefits as in large enterprises. This study aims to develop a specific and practical IT-business alignment framework to assist IT-business alignment efforts in SMEs. The proposed solution is the extension of IT-based competitive strategy framework using Architecture Vision and Business Architecture of TOGAF Architecture Development Method (ADM). The methodology follows the design-science research, i.e., designing the framework extension and evaluating the framework application in six SMEs in Indonesia. The results of the framework application demonstrate the framework suitability to address SMEs’ needs and constraints. The stakeholders’ assessment also confirms the benefit of the framework. The proposed framework is easy to understand and to use, and the outcomes are generally applicable for SMEs.