The gulf between business and information and communication technology (ICT) is getting smaller by the day. As recently as four decades ago, ICT was a strange new world for many companies; now it’s a given. In fact, it’s more than that: businesses must stay ahead of innovation in order to stay ahead of the competition.

Not every business is equipped to run that race, however, and for those companies, there’s The Architecture Practice (TAP). By delivering fit-for-purpose solutions to firms looking to modernize, TAP has made a name for itself in Australia’s IT sector and earned Founder and CEO Saurabh Anand a finalist spot in the Information Technology and Telecommunications category at The CEO Magazine’s 2025 Executive of the Year Awards.

Anand explains that the mindset of 40 years ago lives on in businesses that are clueless when it comes to developing ICT architecture in order to thrive. There’s much fear: of being left behind, of choosing the wrong path, of expenditure, of the unknown. Anand was all too aware of these mental roadblocks when he founded TAP in 2014.

The consulting organization was designed as a partner for businesses that saw modernization as a challenge; by emphasizing the partnership aspect with clients, Anand says the venture came to be built on a foundation of trust, purpose and agility.

“I’m most proud of how TAP has evolved from a bold idea into a trusted partner for government and enterprise clients,” he tells The CEO Magazine.

“Our journey has been marked by a relentless focus on solving real-world problems through architecture, technology and strategic thinking.”

The problem with a digitalization program is that it can seem rather nebulous. What is being achieved – and how that happens – isn’t always clear along the way, and by the time an outcome arrives, it can look very different to what was initially envisioned.

Anand’s way of sidestepping this issue was, in a word, architecture. By giving his method a structure, clients could follow a road map to a future of success. Change – positive change – is the inevitable destination, and something that has driven Anand from the beginning of TAP’s journey.

“Seeing ideas turn into impact is my favorite part of my job,” he says. “Whether it’s a strategic framework that reshapes a department or an AI solution that simplifies a complex process, the ability to drive change is deeply fulfilling.”

Years in the public sector and government roles, from Centrelink to the Department of Veterans Affairs, were formative in shaping Anand’s mastery of solution architecture.

Smarter solutions

Over time, one thing became clear. “The role of ICT as a simple support function has evolved into that of a key business enabler,” Anand says.

As a result, organizations were seeking more than traditional solution providers were able to deliver.

“I founded TAP to deliver value by providing high-quality, practical and useful ICT architecture as well as strategy solutions for the smooth functioning of business,” he says.

Today, government departments are among the firm’s most valuable clients. Together, TAP and its clients develop achievable strategies, plans and business cases designed to maximize investment.

“TAP isn’t just a professional services firm,” Anand says. “It’s a movement toward smarter, more resilient public and private services.”

Among those services to enjoy TAP’s support in their ICT journey are the Victorian Department of Education, Transport for New South Wales, Accenture, the Australian War Memorial, the Federal Court of Australia, the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Australian Electoral Commission. Anand says earning the trust of so many high-profile government departments is a reflection of the firm’s own values.

“Agility, trust and purpose are what we offer clients; they’re also what our culture is built on,” he says. “We empower our teams to innovate boldly and collaborate deeply.

“This has enabled us to deliver high-impact outcomes in sectors such as defense, health, banking, transport and Indigenous affairs, where precision and empathy are equally critical.”

Chasing impact

Another point of difference is TAP’s wholehearted embrace of innovation. Its enterprise solution, integration and security architecture have included cloud and development operations strategies for some time. The firm has also diversified into other service offerings alongside its core strategy and architecture expertise.

Project and program management, cybersecurity assurance, market documentation, tender evaluations, change management, program costings and analyst and audit services are all in TAP’s wheelhouse. This versatility comes from Anand’s professional belief that impact should count above all else.

“The best leadership advice I ever received was, ‘Don’t chase titles, chase impact,’” he says. “This advice has guided me through every phase of TAP’s growth. It reminds me that leadership is about influence, not hierarchy, and that real value lies in solving problems that matter.”

Having worked his way up from an analyst programmer position to being his own boss and heading up the team at TAP, Anand has developed a unique leadership approach that has set a certain tone at his company.

“I lead with clarity, empathy and accountability,” he says. “I believe in being a catalyst for growth, both for the company and for every individual within it. Leadership is, to me, about enabling others to succeed while staying grounded in purpose.”

Just as the man has embodied this within his company, TAP is an extension of that philosophy in the sector. Its many clients have found success at the end of their journey; TAP’s purpose, meanwhile, has never wavered, even when the methods have.

Embracing technology

AI is at the forefront of the consulting space and driving change in ways never thought possible. As a champion of innovation, Anand says AI has a place in his vision for the future of the industry, and accordingly, TAP is working to realize it.

“It’s true that AI is reshaping the architecture and consulting space. That’s just the reality,” he says.

“TAP is leading this shift by embedding AI into our delivery model, from automating HR workflows to designing intelligent agents using platforms such as Copilot Studio and Azure AI.”

AI is also helping the firm provide clients with clearer guidance in the midst of transformational uncertainty.

“We’re helping clients navigate complex transitions, such as the ‘double bubble’ cost dilemma during legacy-to-cloud migrations, by accelerating timelines and rationalizing contracts,” Anand says.

This is all done with a sober assessment of AI’s role in the future. Anand points out that far from ‘taking over,’ AI is simply a tool that tomorrow’s businesses must have in their arsenal in order to excel.

“I envision an industry where AI and automation are used not just for efficiency, but for ethical transformation,” he says. “TAP will continue to lead by example designing secure, scalable and human-centric systems that empower public services and communities alike.”

Anand’s nomination in the Executive of the Year Awards is an example of the impact he sought to have when he founded TAP. He says he set out to create more than just a professional services firm, and the success of its clients seems to bear that out.

“Our innovation model blends architecture, AI and strategic thinking to deliver outcomes that are transformative and cost-effective,” he says.

TAP’s success makes leaders of its clients – Anand says it’s all part of the plan.

“Ultimately, leadership is about service, and service is about solving.”