We know of many Smart Grid projects that are not doing well. One wonders why. Although there are many reasons why that is the case, one thing is certain -- without a strategic IT architecture there is little hope. IT and Power Systems Engineering applications have typically operated in silos due to the lack of any compelling need for integration – integration between business units, integration between business processes, integration between applications, and even integration of databases. Up until now, the industry has had minimal real-time integration capabilities built into IT systems because applications and data integration needs have been met tactically through a one-off and project-based approach. IT has never had the motivation, the business drivers or the budget to develop a strategic architecture or develop a standardized approach to integration. Application and Data integration requirements have been met through a tactical approach based upon any available technology or middleware offered by the application or system vendor. Available resources have had to develop quick point-to-point interfaces between applications to achieve near-term objectives. Each interface is non-standard and custom-coded. Many of these interfaces are batch rather than real-time, with database links and proprietary code that is customized by writing more code within the application. A point-to-point integration approach is not scalable, precludes future upgrades, and increases risk to the organization, as any change to the application would have a Ripple Effect on other downstream applications. Although the custom interface meets short-term needs, it stifles future growth and scalability. The integration gap keeps widening over time with custom code written for each P2P interface. The viral impact of the point-to-point architecture continues to reduce the overall integration capability, making each change riskier than the one prior. Data continues to be locked in silos and sharing becomes a significant challenge over time. This growth over the years has resulted in what we refer to as an "Accidental Architecture”.