Why Most Business Architecture Fails (And What to Do Instead)

The problem isn’t the framework—it’s the mindset.

TOGAF. BPMN. Value Streams.
If you’ve been in the business architecture space for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard these buzzwords thrown around like magic spells.

The reality?

Most of what passes for business architecture today is Marketecture.
It looks impressive.
It ticks boxes.
But it doesn’t deliver.

At HOBA® Tech, we do business architecture differently.
Ours is business-led, not IT-led.
Agile, not bureaucratic.
Practical, not PowerPoint fluff.

This is how we reverse the 70% failure rate in business transformation—and help you join the top 30% who get it right the first time.

Heres what we’ll cover:

What You’ll Learn in This Article:

Let’s break it down, step by step.👇

⚙️ What Is Business Architecture Really?

Business architecture is the bridge between strategy and execution. It defines how your organisation’s people, processes, technology, and data work together to deliver your vision.

But that’s not what most frameworks do.
They focus on documentation over delivery.
Outputs over outcomes.
Structure over strategy.

At HOBA®, we flip that on its head.

Don't have the time? Want to read this later? No problem, download our guide and read it later!

🧠 Introducing the 6-Step Agile Business Transformation Process

Built into the HOBA® Framework and trusted by the UK Government and organisations worldwide, our 6-step process solves the transformation puzzle by answering the 5W1H strategic questions every Business Architect (or as we call them—Business Transformator®) must ask:

Each of our six steps maps directly to these questions—and delivers transformation that works.

👏 “Most business transformations fail because they focus on tech and forget the business. HOBA flips that. Business-led. Outcome-driven. First time, on time." 🚀 #AgileTransformation #HOBAFramework #BusinessArchitecture #TOM #Leadership

Heath Gascoigne Tweet

✅ Step 1: FOCUS

(WHY)
Define the Vision, Strategy & Objectives of the transformation.
Without this? You’re building on sand.

🧠 Pro Tip: Most failures happen here. If your stakeholders can’t articulate the “why,” stop everything.

✅ Step 2: CONTROL

(WHO)
Identify who’s involved, who’s impacted, and who has a voice.
This is where you set up governance, engagement, and decision-making protocols.

🛑 Ignore middle management at your peril. They make or break transformations.

✅ Step 3: ANALYSE

(WHAT)
Dive into your current operating model. Understand what’s broken, what’s working, and what needs to go.

No, a heat map isn’t analysis. Real analysis = understanding how the business actually runs.

✅ Step 4: EVALUATE

(WHY 2.0 – THE BUSINESS WHY)
Define the benefits. What are you trying to enable?
If the first “why” is vision, this second one is about value.

💡 Most frameworks forget this second “why”—that’s why they miss the value case entirely.

✅ Step 5: DESIGN

(WHERE & HOW)
Design the Target Operating Model. But not the kind that makes execs shudder.

We’re talking real business-led architecture, not just swimlanes and boxes.

💥 If your TOM doesn’t tell your people how the future works, it’s not a TOM—it’s Marketecture.

✅ Step 6: IMPLEMENT

(WHEN)
Build your roadmap. Sequence your initiatives. Deliver.
This is the moment you turn strategy into execution.

At HOBA®, we make sure you finish what you start.

👏 ""gile isn’t about doing more stand-ups. It’s about delivering value—faster, clearer, and with buy-in at every level. That’s how we break the 70% failure rate." #AgileTransformation #HOBA #TransformationSuccess 💡

Heath Gascoigne Tweet

🔧 How to Make Business Architecture Work for You

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing TOGAF with transformation
Building diagrams instead of delivering results
Overlooking the second “why”—business value

⚠️ Don't Do Business Architecture Like Everyone Else

✔️ Get our 6x International Best-Selling Book:
👉 The Business Transformation Playbook

✔️ Enrol in our Intro to Agile Business Transformation Course
Use code HOBA50 for 50% off this week only.

🔗 Learn how to deliver transformation first time, on time—and join the top 30% who succeed.

👊 Join the Movement

We’re building the next transformation unicorn out of London.

You in?

👏 "Stop building Marketecture—pretty diagrams that impress no one. Start delivering real transformation. That’s what we do with HOBA." #DigitalTransformation #Consulting #HOBA #Strategy 🎯⚠️

Heath Gascoigne Tweet

Looking for the Best Training to deliver your Business Transformation? Search no more!

👏 “Transformation isn’t random. It’s a process. 6 steps. 6 models. 6 questions. That’s how you build a Target Operating Model that actually gets delivered." 🚀 #AgileTransformation #HOBAFramework #BusinessArchitecture #TOM #Leadership

Heath Gascoigne Tweet

About HOBA Tech

If this resonated with you, discover how to make Business Transformation a reality—with less stress, fewer resources, and faster results. Explore our award-winning agile Business Transformation Framework, trusted by organizations worldwide, from the UK Government and FTSE-100 companies to innovative start-ups. Ready to begin your transformation journey? Start here.

Curious why The Business Transformation Playbook is hailed as the “Business Transformation Bible”? See what readers are saying in the Amazon reviews.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Let us know in the comments what stood out to you or what topics you’d like us to cover next. If you found this valuable, share it with others who could benefit!

Thank you for reading, and here’s to your transformation success!

Sincerely,

Heath Gascoigne

P.S. If you want to join our Business Transformator community of 2,000+ like-minded Business Transformators, join the community on the Business Transformator Facebook Group here.

P.P.S. If you want to learn more about business transformation, check out The Business Transformation Playbook.