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Business Architecture Anti-Patterns

Identify and name the common ways business architecture goes wrong, from ivory-tower modelling to capability lists that nobody uses, so the learner can spot and avoid them.

Phase B, Business ArchitectureDerived from Course-native

Architecture theatre: four warning signs and the cure that returns each to a real decision

Four columns name a common artefact. The top cell shows the warning that it has slipped into theatre, in red; the bottom cell shows the cure that ties it back to a decision, in the structural accent.

Theatre is architecture activity that produces an artefact but no decision. Each column pairs the warning that an artefact has become theatre with the test that brings it back to real work.

Architecture theatre: four warning signs and the cure that returns each to a real decision Four columns compare an artefact in two states: a red theatre warning on top, the accent cure below. Diagram count: warning, diagrams made for their own sake, one per topic or page; cure, one diagram per decision. Stakeholder map: warning, the map is built but no stakeholder interviewed; cure, one interview per stakeholder, quoted. Capability heatmap: warning, heat colours never change the roadmap; cure, every red cell links to a roadmap entry with an owner. Principles document: warning, principles written but never tested or waivered; cure, every principle has a waiver log and review date. The red note: theatre is an artefact but no decision; bind it to a named decision, owner and review. Theatre warningReal architecture Sign 1Diagram countWarningDiagrams are producedfor their own sake,one per topic or page.CureOne diagram perdecision. Not pertopic, not per page. Sign 2Stakeholder mapWarningThe map is built butno stakeholder hasbeen interviewed.CureOne named interviewper stakeholder,quoted in the record. Sign 3Capability heatmapWarningHeat colours neverproduce a changeto the roadmap.CureEvery red cell linksto a roadmap entrywith a named owner. Sign 4Principles documentWarningPrinciples are writtenand never testedor waivered.CureEvery principle hasa waiver log anda review date. Warning: artefact without a decisionCure: artefact tied to a decision Theatre produces an artefact but no decision.The cure for every sign is the same shape: bind the artefact to a named decision, owner and review.