12-Step program for Enterprise Architects

EA seems addicted to labour intensive work done with unsuitable tools or in documents.

You could imagine a session - where I stand up in front my peers and say "Hi, my name is Michael Ellyett, and I am an Archaholic addicted to using tools and methods that don't work for my enterprise... "

Here are some initial thoughts on how to overcome this addiction - based on programs that work for other addictions.

1. Admit that what we are doing doesn't work. It makes you feel good but doesn't do anyone much good in the long term

2. Recognise that something beyond what we do and use at present is needed to restore us to sanity.

3. Make a decision to think rationally about why we are failing. Rather than pretending it is all OK, or will be OK next time, or blaming others.

4. Make searching and fearless inventory of what we are doing and why.

5. Admitted to ourselves and others the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Put aside our semi-religious beliefs in framework and methods that everyone says should work

7. Work out how to do things that actually contribute to goals others have

8. List all of work we have done badly that could have been done better.

9. Make amends by telling the people we have worked for and with that we recognise the error of our ways, apologise for our past failing, and are committed to breaking our addiction to tools and languages we are addicted to - but that don't work for the enterprise.

10. Continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admit it.

11. Seek through honest and open communication to improve our thinking on what is required

12. Having had an intellectual wakening as the result of these steps, and try and carry this message to others.