Featured in this week’s spotlight is Envy Crosby, Enterprise Architect of JourneyOne.
Envy has more than 20 years of experience working in IT, with more than ten years of that time as an Enterprise Architect specializing in Business Architecture and Strategy. She has industry experience as an architect across emergency services, agriculture, healthcare, water utilities and mining. Throughout her career, Envy has managed architecture teams and held the role of Principal Enterprise Architect on major transformation programs.
We were Interested in her perspective about being an architect, so we reached out for thoughts on several key questions.
Question: How did you get your start in the industry?
Answer: One of my first jobs was working at the Commonwealth Department of Education. It was my initial foray into IT-focused projects. Not long after, I was an Events Officer at the State Library of New South Wales. And had recently graduated with my Diploma of Events Management. I thought my career had a trajectory in the artistic field until my manager tapped me on the shoulder to be the team’s representative in a major digital transformation program.
Little did I know I was stepping back into IT and would never leave! So here I am, over twenty years after my first IT stint, and still in IT. I moved into Enterprise Architecture over a decade ago and have enjoyed it ever since.
Q: What is your current responsibility and what is your typical day like?
A: I have been with JourneyOne for over a year and have consulted at a mining company for the duration. By day, I am an Enterprise Architect, facilitating strategic planning and operating model workshops. Utilizing new techniques, incorporating human-centred activities, and modelling many architectural artefacts.
I also aspire to be a creative writer, so I plug away at blog articles or my latest novel idea by night.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love creating pictures that translate technical and complex problems into tangible, consumable stories. I enjoy facilitating workshops to hear about different ideas from all organizational levels. It’s always inspiring to hear about new ways to logically decompose a problem to find the best solutions. I like knowing the big picture and helping organizations to articulate their aspirations and goals.
I’m passionate about specializing in business architecture as I see the value of this domain because it’s exciting to be at the forefront of fundamental change in Enterprise Architecture.
Q: What trends in architecture are you looking out for the rest of 2023 and 2024?
A: I have a passion for Human-Centred Design (HCD) and Design Thinking. I can see Enterprise Architecture utilizing HCD to be more innovative with how we do architecture. In the last 5 years, I have incorporated value proposition, human-centred and business design methods and techniques into my strategic artefacts. I have found my customers are drawn more to the human aspect. It helps one step into their shoes and genuinely experience what they experience when facing a problem.
Q: What is one thing we can do to support or increase the women in architecture?
A: We need to create a safe, welcoming environment, especially for introverted women to learn and get some experience in the field. I have some fantastic mentors and wouldn’t be here without them. This field can feel intimidating, but we can inspire women to dip their toes in with the right mentors, policies and practices that encourage flexibility and professional development opportunities.
Find those women who deserve a voice and allow them to share their ideas. Let them be the sage on the stage, with humility, so they can learn to be great leaders.