Scenario:
You are working as an Enterprise Architect at a large company. The company runs a chain of home improvement stores, as well as a website for selling products. The website lets many brands work with the company.
The stores open seven days a week and use a standard method to track sales and inventory. This involves sending accurate and timely sales data to a central inventory management system that can predict demand, adjust stock levels, and automate reordering. The website is supported by regional fulfillment centers and also uses the central inventory management system. The central inventory management system is housed at the company’s central data center.
The company has agreed to merge with a major competitor. The leadership teams of both organizations have said they are committed to a smooth transition for customers. All stores will keep their own brand names. They will combine the systems of the organizations, which includes merging retail operations and systems. Duplicated systems will be replaced with one standard retail management system. Additionally, they will reduce the number of applications being used. The CIO expects that these changes will lead to substantial cost savings for the newly merged company.
An enterprise plan for both organizations has been created. The aim is to set priorities for the transition, especially in terms of information management and application development. It is crucial to make decisions that will create long-term value.
The company has a mature Enterprise Architecture (EA) practice and uses the TOGAF standard for its architecture development method. The EA program is sponsored by the Chief Information Officer (CIO).
The Request for Architecture Work to oversee the transition has been approved. The project has been scoped, and you have been assigned to work on it.
You have been asked to confirm the most relevant architecture principles for the transition.
Based on the TOGAF Standard, which of the following is the best answer?