Alongside his role as Head of Architecture, Ben also runs Bupa’s Emerging Tech capability, scouting new technology that should be taken advantage of including AI, Blockchain, and robotics. Right now for architecture to coexist flexibly and support these initiatives, the focus is how to move faster without compromising: whilst being mindful of the exploration, experimentation, and different speed that innovation requires from Enterprise Architecture. In this session Ben will speak about how he is able to apply an architecture lens to these areas:

-         The role of Enterprise Architecture driving innovation in emerging technology

-         Light touch architecture that complements agile ways of working

-         Changing team mentalities to balance effectiveness of projects and how architects adapt to these teams

Only a small percentage of Enterprise Architecture frameworks are currently used on a practical day-to-day basis. With usage at an all time low, our panel of Chief Architects will discuss whether the idea of a an EA framework needs to be dropped or evolved, and provide next-step solutions to move past this central issue:

• Do Enterprise Architects need a Framework, or are there new undervalued approaches?
• How can traditional frameworks stand up in current and future operating environments?
• How do we adapt the likes of TOGAF to the requirements of Agile Business?
• Which supplementary processes offer added flexibility and practical benefits?

Vishal Choksy

Chief Information Officer & Enterprise Architect
Natures Organic

See Bio

Darren Yeo

Director- Enterprise and Solution Architecture
Foxtel

See Bio

As organisations adopt agile operating models that put customer services at the centre, the role of Enterprise Architecture changes from master planners, gate keepers, and model-making to supporters of service design, delivery, and operations capabilities. The Dept. Health & Human Services (Victoria) has built a digital service delivery capability based on modern platforms and agile development methods. An essential part of the operation is the Enterprise Architecture Unit that acts as a strategic planning and enterprise design partner to the business. This session will detail practical elements of how Enterprise Architecture can set up as a driver of sustainable change and executive strategy, including:

• How architects are engaging with business units to frame discussions about service delivery options and technology investments
• Using business capability models to assist with IT portfolio management and prioritisation
• How Enterprise Architects can most effectively work with Business Policy and Planners, Service Designers and Agilest.
• How Enterprise Architecture can re-orient from delivering compliance to focusing on business outcomes, service quality, and overall customer satisfaction

Paul Taylor

Business Technology Architect and Planner
Department of Health and Human Services

See Bio

With the shift in industry towards nimble online services, business becomes faster and EA needs to keep up and stay ahead. Foxtel has speedily transformed their EA function to produce a nontraditional team that is execution-oriented rather than framework and roadmap centric. Now the goal is to translate plans into real work faster, and Darren has been trialing new operating model without losing intention of governance. In this session:

• Long term plus short term planning to look 12-18 months ahead with awareness of quick technology changes.
• Share constructively: setting up nimble teams and engineering at a platform level.
• Embedding new skill sets to drive the company ahead through a confluence of soft skills, mechanical skills, and ability to be open minded for pragmatic solutions.
• Peer to peer review forums with stakeholders to capture feedback and assess whether they are adopting solutions put forwards, the quality of work, and measure team performance.

Darren Yeo

Director- Enterprise and Solution Architecture
Foxtel

See Bio

Digitally transforming organisations are unanimously onboarding agile practices to become more adaptable in the face of industry and global change and as such, Enterprise Architecture has to refresh and realign to these new ways of working. Natures Organic has adopted a number of methodologies such as Agile thinking to change the business landscape for the better and utilising the role of the EA to introduce technical change into the organisation. This session will speak to how changes in architecture services are powering outcomes at greater velocity and setting up to enable more cross functional teams:

• Role of EA in Decentralised Operating Model
• Customer -Centric Approach – Improve Customer Obsession and Reduce Time To Value
• Applying Product Management & Agile Principles With Emerging Technology Capabilities To Empower Teams and Foster Experimentation.

Vishal Choksy

Chief Information Officer & Enterprise Architect
Natures Organic

See Bio

Communication has been clearly marked as a critical capability of modern day architecture teams, prescribing architects to build upon technical abilities with business acumen, consultancy skills, and salesmanship. It is no longer just effective to be communicating more frequently with executives and business people, now teams need to work out what communication styles stakeholders fit into, to tailor engagement and develop stakeholder empathy. Ebtesam Gauda from ANZ has been tasked with redeveloping the EA function at ANZ and creating a high-performing Architecture team that drives business transformation and innovation within the bank.

• Adaptive styles and skills to act as an influencer to the business
• Securing the time and understanding to develop and scale skillsets across EA teams
• Building a skillset that builds and elevates core communication approaches

Ebtesam Gauda

Strategic Architecture Lead- COE
ANZ

See Bio