IASA - Architects Stakeholder Canvas

Canvas Overview: The architect stakeholder canvas is a very powerful stakeholder tool. However it can be a bit confusing at first. The canvas is used to understand stakeholder relationships to any given architect, or architecture team. It can be used at multiple levels of scope. It works best to when used in a team environment and an informal setting. It is used to decern stakeholder relationships and can be used for deliverables as well. Successful architecture initiatives require collaboration between architects, business stakeholders, and IT teams.

Stakeholders bring valuable perspectives to the table, including:

• Business Needs: Stakeholders can articulate the business problems that architecture needs to address and the business goals that architecture should support.

• Domain Expertise: Stakeholders may have deep knowledge of specific business areas and processes, which is vital for designing solutions that align with real-world needs.

• Decision-Making Power: Stakeholders often have the authority to approve or veto architectural decisions. Involving them early on increases the likelihood of successful implementation.

How to use this canvas

The stakeholder canvas is divided into two broad categories, demand, and supply. These categories are based on the concept that there is demand for arhitect(ures) and there is the supply of architecture. This normally translates to Demand = Business Partners and Supply = Technology Partners, but not always (as is often the case with infrastructure architecture teams). That means a VP of marketing would go on the right and the CIO on the left. However, feel free to play. In addition, the extra dotted line on the right is a divisor meant to help group stakeholders into sections related to the org chart, the operating model or other useful divisors.

While the Stakeholder Engagement Canvas might not be the primary tool used in Architecture, considering stakeholder needs throughout the architecture lifecycle is critical for success. By involving stakeholders in a meaningful way, you can improve the quality of your architectural solutions and increase the likelihood of successful implementation.

About IASA Global: IASA Global is a non-profit association for ALL Technology Architects which was established in 2002. The association is committed to improving the quality of the BT architecture industry by developing and delivering standards, education programs and developing accreditation programs and services that optimize the development of the architecture profession. The IASA network and membership consists of approximately 70,000 people in over 50 countries.

IASA Global has created the world's first and only Business Technology Architecture Body of Knowledge, (BTABoK), which is a free public archive of Business Technology architecture best practices, skills, and knowledge developed from the experience of individual and corporate members of IASA.

IASA has added templates for over 30 of the most frequently used BTABoK structured canvases into the Miroverse to help accelerate how Technology Architects collaborate on the architecture of the future. Give one a try today, and learn more about IASA at https://iasaglobal.org/.