Building a Strategic Business Architecture Practice

This program is of most benefit to people who are responsible for building a business architecture practice within their organization – or who aspire to do so. This program is specially crafted for business architecture practice leaders and is also valuable for their executives and any key practitioners who may be involved in the practice. 

If you are ready to get actionable about establishing your organization’s business architecture practice or advancing an existing one, this program is for you.

To maximize the value of this program, it is ideal to have a foundational understanding of business architecture. See FAQs below for more information.

In the Self-Paced program, you engage with a comprehensive set of materials (educational and how-to videos, a detailed workbook, canvases, and tools) and learn independently, whereas the Live Virtual program has an interactive, hands-on, coaching-oriented learning modality with an established schedule.

The Self-Paced program is a less expensive alternative to the Live Virtual, and you go at your own pace. It has no fixed start and end dates, which is well suited for those who are self-starters but have a busy work schedule or reside in a time zone that isn't conducive to the collaborative learning model.

This program is all about you and your success. We keep the group size cozy to maximize interaction among participants and with the facilitators.

You’ll enjoy a balanced blend of expert teaching and practical application. We believe that learning in small bites and by doing is most effective. (As a practice leader, this program allows you to get your work done as you go!)  Each week we cover one lesson, which includes videos, workbook reflections, and an activity (typically the creation of a canvas) for you to put the ideas into practice for your organization.  

The Biz Arch Mastery teaching methodology focuses on an iterative Learn-Reflect-Do-Share approach, which we co-create with participants.

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​​This program is structured with care and intent to help you achieve the best results. We believe that learning in small bites and by doing is most effective. (As a practice leader, this program allows you to complete your work as you go!)

The program is designed for you to cover one lesson per week or every other week, with additional time for you to accommodate out-of-office time and other personal and professional commitments.

The Self-Paced program leverages the Biz Arch Mastery teaching methodology of an iterative Learn-Reflect-Do approach. Each lesson includes educational and how-to videos, workbook reflections, and an activity (typically the creation of a canvas) to help you to put the ideas into practice for your organization. 

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Live Virtual Program

This program will inspire, guide, and connect you with like-minded colleagues, transforming how you make a difference with business architecture in your organization. It is packed with resources, learning, and opportunities to interact with others. The program includes:

• A guided learning curriculum with 20 lessons (organized into 6 modules) that takes you through how to build a practice step-by-step, each comprised of instructional and how-to videos, workbook reflections, and hands-on activities 
• A detailed and engaging workbook that guides you through the process along with loads of canvases, tools, and assessments to help you make decisions and communicate with others
• Coaching and feedback from experts with extensive applied knowledge in successful business architecture practice building
• Connection and collaboration with peers both live (virtual) and online through our engaging platform
• Invaluable facilitated group sessions (virtual) to reflect; exchange ideas, best practices, tips, and techniques; and get answers to all of your questions
• Participation in the regularly scheduled guest conversation series with the full Biz Arch Mastery community
• A complimentary copy of the book Strategy to Reality (eBook or soft cover format)
• 9 hours of recorded webinars with highly relevant and valuable content on business architecture and its application
• Complimentary access to the Business Architect Strengths Study package

Self-Paced Program

This program will inspire you, guide you, and transform the way you make a difference with business architecture in your organization. It is packed with resources, learning, and the opportunity to interact with global business architecture expert Whynde Kuehn. The program includes:

• A self-paced learning curriculum with 20 lessons (organized into 6 modules) that guide you through how to build a practice step-by-step, each comprised of instructional and how-to videos, workbook reflections, and hands-on activities 
• A detailed and engaging workbook that guides you through the process along with loads of canvases, tools, and assessments to help you make decisions and communicate with others
• Access to a monthly recorded AMA (Ask Me Anything) Q&A session with Whynde Kuehn (submit and receive answers to your questions as well as those submitted by other participants)
• A complimentary copy of the book Strategy to Reality (eBook or soft cover format)
• 9 hours of recorded webinars with highly relevant and valuable content on business architecture and its application
• Complimentary access to the Business Architect Strengths Study package

Our approach to helping organizations build business architecture practices is business-focused, strategically positioned, and focused on continual value delivery. It is based on the best practices and practical approaches that are proven and working for businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations around the world. We are proud of our extensive track record of successful and scalable business architecture teams.

Our unique approach is articulated in the book Strategy to Reality, which serves as a textbook for this program. In fact, this experience brings the concepts in the book to life and helps you put them into action for your organization. You will receive a complimentary eBook or soft cover with your participation.

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“Whynde uses a practical approach to business architecture that makes it natural and real for organizations.  Leveraging her experience and deep knowledge in leading business transformations all over the world provides great insight and successful approaches to standing up and running a world-class business architecture practice in any organization.”

Theresa Fannin, Director, Product Management

This program is led by global business architecture expert Whynde Kuehn. In addition, we have expert guests join us for exclusive conversations throughout the program who help you further enrich your learning and perspectives.

Whynde Kuehn is recognized globally as a highly sought-after business architecture pioneer and thought leader deeply rooted in delivering measurable business results. Whynde has worked with an extensive array of organizations, including Fortune 500 enterprises, governmental and non-profit organizations, social enterprises, startups, and cross-sector initiatives. Having shaped and practiced the discipline across six continents from about every possible angle from corporation transformation to start ups to the establishment of successful practices within organizations, Whynde provides a wealth of deep knowledge, hands-on experience and best practices with business architecture. She brings a strong business perspective, has an ability to simplify complex concepts in her usual straight-talk style, and provides practical, real-world guidance.

Whynde is the founder and managing director of S2E Transformation Inc., creator of Biz Arch Mastery, a fellow with the Institute for Digital Transformation, and member of the Fast Company Executive Board. She is co-founder, vice president, and academic chair of the Business Architecture Guild^®.  Whynde is co-founder and chair of the Women In Architecture (WIA) global initiative. She is also an adjunct professor in the Executive Education program of Penn State within the Smeal College of Business.  

Whynde is author of the book Strategy to Reality and co-author of The Execution Challenge.

Whynde is exceptionally passionate about assisting mission-driven organizations in succeeding and scaling through the application of solid business approaches. Likewise, she routinely inspires corporate entities to use business as a force for good. With a focus on Africa and on emerging nations, Whynde has spent years assisting public and private partners in hands-on efforts to drive dreams into action through effective and sustainable design and creating systemic change.

"Building a Strategic Business Architecture Practice Program is an excellent investment for those who want to better understand and increase their overall efficiency and effectiveness both as a professional and a practice builder. The high yield tools and approach, combined with the richness of our exchanges and Whynde's coaching mastership, are a real winning combination. Do not hesitate a minute! Enroll! Invest!"

– Gilles Morin, Strategic Business Architect and SBA Program Participant

"The Building a Strategic Business Architecture Practice (SBA) program equips the practitioner on how to make the business case with Executives for a Business Architecture capability and offers fantastic insights needed to manage the inevitable challenges of buy-in, interest trade-offs, alignment with change delivery partners on the strategy to execution pathway and the bridge building required on the journey to deploy and mature a business architecture practice.

Whynde Kuehn's combined coaching and mentoring approach and Biz Arch Mastery's resources are second to none in the business architecture community.

The SBA program is highly recommended to the Business Architect who is interested in becoming a more rounded and accomplished practitioner of the discipline beyond mastery of the concepts and principles, to cultivate the deep rooted beliefs and strong convictions ​required for the climb up the business architecture mountain summit."

– Henry Erhiaganoma, Certified Business Architect - SBA Program Participant

"What an impactful class. It was everything I hoped it would be - primarily an accelerator to launching a business architecture practice. Could I have gotten here on my own? well, maybe. But, for sure, I'm much farther down the road than I would otherwise be. 20 weeks is quite a chunk of time, but I just can't absorb it any faster. Which is to say, you can't do this in a 5 day class. These concepts take some thought. The canvases are terrific tools to get you to develop your thoughts, and determine how you will apply these lessons in your organization. Having a seasoned business architecture practitioner as the instructor makes all the difference in this class. While just reading the book is good, having someone walk you through it and discuss it makes all the difference. Initially I was hesitant about the idea of listening to pre-recorded videos. But they were all excellent, and I usually forgot I was watching a video - it felt like I was on a zoom call."

– Tim Hale, Enterprise Architect, Arvest Bank - SBA Program Participant 

"I would highly recommend the Building a Strategic Business Architecture Practice program. The material provides invaluable practical steps to assist you in structuring, governing and maturing business architecture within your organization."

– M B, Business Architect, Financial Services

"I highly recommend joining this learning opportunity. Great content and interactive community sessions with peers from various industries and organizations. Of course who better to facilitate it all than Whynde Kuehn!"

– SBA Program Participant 

"As an alumni of this program I can attest to the tremendous insights and structure that Building a Strategic Business Architecture Practice delivers. Whynde Kuehn does an outstanding job as the facilitator bringing together not only her great time tested content, but engaging the entire group to learn from each other. I wholeheartedly, highly recommend this program."

– SBA Program Participant 

"I can attest that this is an amazing opportunity to learn in a community of other peers in various industries and maturities where Whynde will guide you through the process that you can practically develop in your organization. I miss the weekly community and sharing we did each week. It was amazing.|

– SBA Program Participant 

"I recommend this program to everybody. Its such high quality."

– SBA Program Participant 

"It’s a truly exceptional program. It goes far beyond the book with well designed tools and templates that are ready to use. Great conversations with peers as well. Building a Strategic Business Architecture Practice is definitively a must to take your business architecture practice a step further!"

– SBA Program Participant 

"Celebrating my certificate in Building a Strategic Business Architecture Practice with Whynde Kuehn.  Over the past 20+ weeks it has been an eye-opening and an amazing pleasure in attending, highly recommended. I can't say enough how practical and amazing the sessions were. Loved the content and interactions."

– SBA Program Participant 

"Highly recommend this program to any business or enterprise architecture practice leader!"

– SBA Program Participant 

"My management was impressed with how much content I was able to use right out of the box. It cuts to the chase and cuts out the thought. It really helps you focus on what really needs to be done and provides the tools to do it. It is something I will always come back to."

– SBA Program Participant 

"I really appreciate the materials and they are so useful. This program will really benefit in my practice for sure! I want to emphasize that you built a really great program and I love it!"

– SBA Program Participant 

To maximize the value of this program, it is ideal to have a foundational understanding of business architecture. If you have completed any of the following, then you’re all set:

• Achieved your Certified Business Architect® (CBA®) certification
• Participated in a Biz Arch Mastery Inner Circle group coaching program
• Completed the Business Architecture Immersion course or the entire 5-day Business Architecture Bootcamp series from Guild Accredited Training Partner® BAA
• Worked directly in the business architecture discipline for 6 months or more

If you are brand new to the business architecture discipline and do not yet meet these prerequisites, we still encourage you to enroll in this program. We can help you navigate any options to get up to speed along the way.

Biz Arch Mastery programs are many things, but are not the following:

• Formal business architecture theory training or certification – While you will learn a tremendous amount from the available resources and group coaching through Biz Arch Mastery, they are not a substitute for formal, detailed training that teaches the BIZBOK^® Guide from end-to-end. Learn more about BAA. Learn more about the Guild Certified Business Architect^® certification program.
• Business Architecture Guild^® membership or the business architecture body of knowledge (BIZBOK^® Guide) – While our base approach and thinking are underpinned by the BIZBOK^® Guide (though we focus more expansively), Biz Arch Mastery is not the Guild. Become a Guild member here.

Formal training and Guild membership are cornerstones of business architecture career development – and you should pursue each. However, Biz Arch Mastery programs are an ideal and unique complement to formal training and Guild membership that enables you to maximize your learning experience and take your business architecture career and internal business architecture practice to the next level.

We are confident you will find this program engaging and valuable for your career and personal growth, but we understand that life happens, and you may need to withdraw from the program in the event of an unforeseen circumstance. If you need to drop the program for any reason, please get in touch with us to discuss a prorated adjustment. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.