Strategic Synergy at Swisscom: Insights from Role Theory on Merging Scaled Agile Frameworks with Enterprise Architecture Management

Organizations today face the dual challenge of maintaining strategic coherence while embracing Agile adaptability. This study examines the integration of Scaled Agile Frameworks and Enterprise Architecture Management at Swisscom, a major Swiss telecommunications provider. Using role theory to analyze the organizational dynamics, we identify specific integration challenges in the balancing act between agility and long-term strategic planning, many of which are related to role conflicts. The challenges we derived are grouped into three different themes, namely, communication and decision-related factors, stakeholder-related factors, and resource-related factors. We provide insights into successful strategies for aligning Agile and architecture practices based on role theory, thereby contributing to a broader understanding of managing organizational transformation.