Discussion Questions

1. What are the key components of the architecture American Express has created?

2. Why was it important to standardize so much of the architecture? What are the advantages

and disadvantages of a standard EA for American Express?

3. Describe how the new architecture supports the goals and strategy of American Express.

4. What types of future payment products and services should be anticipated and prepared for

by the EA group? What is your vision of how payments might work? If you were advising the

CIO of American Express, what would you suggest his group prepare for?