This week examined one of the domains to Enterprise Architecture: business architecture. Business Architecture is used to align objectives with the demands of the business. (Business Architecture Guild, 2013). This applies to schools because all schools have a mission and overall vision. Each school also has to overcome obstacles and implement strategies and processes to reach these goals.
After analyzing the different components of the Business Architecture of my organization, it became clear that marketing, enrollment, and tuition were key factors in the overall success of the school. Not to say that teaching and learning are not the most important components of the school, but this finance/business piece is what keeps the school alive.
After interviewing the administration, it was very eye opening to learn about the ebb and flow of the financial situation of the school. The school has gone through times of enormous success; having a "waiting list" for students to get in, therefore, having a surplus of funds. Other times, (especially during economically difficult times) the school's enrollment has been so low that the school was in debt. In its current state, the school's overall goal is for tuition to cover the cost of "the bills" and for all fundraising dollars to go toward program enhancement.
It was also very interesting to learn that there is a gap between the cost of tuition and the cost of educating each individual child. The school has always worked to keep tuition low (relatively speaking) because making Catholic education available to all families is a huge priority of the school. The school tries to fill that gap with fundraising dollars. In recent years, that gap has grown too large - but there is a fear that raising tuition may cause more families to leave the school.
This may seem like an excess of information about the organization, but what I'm getting at is that creating a Enterprise Architecture system within the organization would help to create a larger view of the overall situation. This would help to identify these "gaps" earlier. Business Architecture would also help the organization to prioritize its values and goals.
Before having this conversation with the administration, I had no idea about the financial situation of the school. I believe that the same is to be true about the parents. Overall transparency is another beautiful benefit of Business Architecture. "In addition, documentation of Business Architecture provides a valuable tool for illustrating and communicating the business of the agency to all stakeholders." (Education Enterprise Architecture Guidebook, 2014 p.11) This organization is very "community oriented" and there needs to be more communication about the financial situation.
A solid business architecture system would create a view and a plan for the growth of the school. Marketing plans and strategies would lead to increased enrollment, therefore increased tuition, and funding.
References
A Guide to the Business Architecture Body of Knowledge. N.p.: Business Architecture Guild, 2013. PDF.
Education Enterprise Architecture Guidebook. N.p.: Reform Support Network, Mar. 2014. PDF.
After analyzing the different components of the Business Architecture of my organization, it became clear that marketing, enrollment, and tuition were key factors in the overall success of the school. Not to say that teaching and learning are not the most important components of the school, but this finance/business piece is what keeps the school alive.
After interviewing the administration, it was very eye opening to learn about the ebb and flow of the financial situation of the school. The school has gone through times of enormous success; having a "waiting list" for students to get in, therefore, having a surplus of funds. Other times, (especially during economically difficult times) the school's enrollment has been so low that the school was in debt. In its current state, the school's overall goal is for tuition to cover the cost of "the bills" and for all fundraising dollars to go toward program enhancement.
It was also very interesting to learn that there is a gap between the cost of tuition and the cost of educating each individual child. The school has always worked to keep tuition low (relatively speaking) because making Catholic education available to all families is a huge priority of the school. The school tries to fill that gap with fundraising dollars. In recent years, that gap has grown too large - but there is a fear that raising tuition may cause more families to leave the school.
This may seem like an excess of information about the organization, but what I'm getting at is that creating a Enterprise Architecture system within the organization would help to create a larger view of the overall situation. This would help to identify these "gaps" earlier. Business Architecture would also help the organization to prioritize its values and goals.
Before having this conversation with the administration, I had no idea about the financial situation of the school. I believe that the same is to be true about the parents. Overall transparency is another beautiful benefit of Business Architecture. "In addition, documentation of Business Architecture provides a valuable tool for illustrating and communicating the business of the agency to all stakeholders." (Education Enterprise Architecture Guidebook, 2014 p.11) This organization is very "community oriented" and there needs to be more communication about the financial situation.
A solid business architecture system would create a view and a plan for the growth of the school. Marketing plans and strategies would lead to increased enrollment, therefore increased tuition, and funding.
References
A Guide to the Business Architecture Body of Knowledge. N.p.: Business Architecture Guild, 2013. PDF.
Education Enterprise Architecture Guidebook. N.p.: Reform Support Network, Mar. 2014. PDF.