Dubai Think Tank 2025 – Part 2 : A Declaration for the Future of Enterprise Strategy & Architecture

Setting the Benchmark for Enterprise Excellence

The Dubai Think Tank 2025 was more than just a discussion—it was a clear call to

action for enterprise leaders to redefine Enterprise Architecture (EA) as a business-driven discipline.

Enterprise decision-makers from Dubai Municipality, Abu Dhabi Customs, aviation, retail, insurance, real estate, media, and government agencies agreed on a critical reality:

The time for IT-driven Enterprise Architecture is over. It is time for Enterprise Anatomy.

This Think Tank was not about conceptual debates—it was about establishing a new standard for enterprise-wide strategy execution.

A Commitment to High Standards: No Dilution, No Shortcuts

During the discussions, senior business leaders from Dubai and Abu Dhabi made it clear that enterprise architecture must maintain the highest standards of evaluation and execution.

This was not about compliance; it was about ensuring excellence.

Discussions centered on the ICMG Rating Platform, which serves as the global benchmark for enterprise-wide strategy evaluation. A key debate at the Think Tank was whether ICMG should lower its architecture evaluation benchmarks to increase acceptance rates.

Currently, 90% of projects do not meet the minimum requirement for:

• Strategy, Process, Systems, Components, Implementation, and Operations.

• Interlinking all elements for enterprise-wide efficiency.

Leaders from Dubai Municipality and Abu Dhabi Customs unanimously agreed: The benchmark must remain high.

When asked about reducing the high rejection rate of project submissions, Alberto de Andrés (Ministry of Education) emphasized the need to uphold the benchmark, stating that only the most exceptional projects should receive recognition. The rigor, he argued, is a hallmark of the program's integrity.

Yassin Yassin (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department) provided another perspective, suggesting that additional educational sessions and working samples could help participants better understand and align their submissions with the program’s requirements.

He also highlighted the importance of including connected models as a benchmark, ensuring that every element within a project aligns cohesively to reflect true enterprise excellence.

Enterprise Architecture is About Excellence—Not Compliance

The Think Tank made one thing clear:

1. Only enterprises that meet the full spectrum of architecture content should be recognized.

2. ICMG’s structured approach to Enterprise Anatomy provides the most comprehensive framework for enterprise evaluation.

3. Strategy execution is impossible without structuring an enterprise at all six levels: Strategy, Process, System, Component, Implementation, and Operations.

The ICMG Rating Platform will continue to ensure that only world-class enterprise structures receive recognition.

A Declaration: Busting Myths & Defining the Future of EA

Enterprise leaders at the Dubai Think Tank 2025 recognized that many popular beliefs about Enterprise Architecture are holding back progress.

The Think Tank discussions led to a clear charter, outlining the future direction of Enterprise Strategy & Architecture.

The Dubai Think Tank 2025 Charter on Enterprise Strategy & Architecture

1.Enterprise Architecture is NOT IT Tools. EA is about structuring enterprises for efficiency, strategy execution, and sustainable transformation.

2.Cloud Architecture is NOT Enterprise Architecture. Moving to the cloud does not solve enterprise-wide inefficiencies.

3.Microservices are NOT Enterprise Architecture. Software design choices cannot replace enterprise-wide structuring.

4.Project Architecture is NOT Enterprise Architecture. Running successful projects does not guarantee enterprise-wide success.

5.Enterprise Architecture is NOT about IT Governance. EA must be led by business and strategy leaders, not just IT departments.

The Opportunity: Why Dubai & Abu Dhabi Must Lead the Way

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are positioned to become global leaders in enterprise transformation—but only if their Enterprise Architecture models are built on structure, execution, and excellence.

As Dubai positions itself as a global innovation hub, its urban projects, infrastructure planning, and digital services must be evaluated at the highest global benchmarks.

Dubai’s smart city projects, transportation systems, and real estate developments have the potential to be world-class—but only if Enterprise Anatomy is embedded at every level.

Abu Dhabi Customs: Excellence in Border Control & Security

Abu Dhabi’s airport is already recognized among the best in the world, but every project within Abu Dhabi Customs must also meet world-class standards in efficiency, security, and enterprise-wide operations.

Abu Dhabi Customs leaders recognized that ICMG’s structured EA insights provide the best framework for validating their enterprise-wide strategy and execution.

Real Estate & Urban Planning: A Strategic Shift

Real estate decision-makers highlighted the need to move beyond isolated development projects and structure real estate as an enterprise-wide investment model—ensuring that urban planning, commercial expansion, and digital services are fully aligned.

Real estate enterprises need a structured Enterprise Anatomy model to ensure efficiency, investment alignment, and global positioning.

Digital Enterprises: Enterprise-Wide Transformation

The executives emphasized the importance of enterprise-wide alignment, Digital transformation must be architected as a full enterprise-wide structure, integrating sales & Revenue, with Products strategy, Engineering, Customer Support, HR and Finance etc as one integrated model.

AI in 2030: The Role of Architecture in Automation

The Think Tank also featured a special panel discussion: AI in 2030?

Krish Ayyar, Managing Partner of ICMG, highlighted how his journey—from arriving in Sydney in 1979 as a data expert to today’s AI-driven world—has always been about automation and efficient automation.

His key insight:

The "A" in AI should stand for "Architecture"—because automation without a structured enterprise-wide architecture leads to inefficiencies.

AI is not just about machine learning—it’s about structuring enterprises for automation at scale.

The Next Step in Enterprise Strategy & Architecture

The Dubai Think Tank 2025 sent a clear message:

The future of Enterprise Architecture is NOT IT-driven.

Enterprise Anatomy is the foundation for enterprise-wide transformation.

ICMG will continue to benchmark projects at the highest global standards—ensuring that every enterprise in Dubai and Abu Dhabi meets world-class excellence.

This is not just a discussion. This is a commitment.

Enterprise leaders who participated in the Think Tank made it clear:

1. Enterprise Architecture must be a business-first discipline.

2. Strategy execution is just as critical as strategy definition.

3. Dubai’s global positioning depends on maintaining the highest enterprise benchmarks.

   
   

The Path Forward

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are at a historic moment of transformation—one that requires the highest standards in Enterprise Strategy & Architecture.

The question now is:

1. Is your organization ready to meet these global standards?

2. Will your enterprise strategy be measured at the highest benchmark?

3. Are you prepared to embrace Enterprise Anatomy as the foundation of future success?

   
   

Let’s continue the conversation.