WHAT IS AN ENTERPRISE ARCHITECT AND WHAT DO THEY DO?

This is a question commonly asked by those who don’t work in the Enterprise Architecture field. To answer this question, we first have to look at two associated questions; What is Enterprise Architecture, and what are the benefits of Enterprise Architecture?

What is Enterprise Architecture?

We will answer this question by using the Enterprise Architecture Definition provided by Gartner; Enterprise architecture (EA) is a discipline for proactively and holistically leading enterprise responses to disruptive forces by identifying and analyzing the execution of change toward desired business vision and outcomes. EA delivers value by presenting business and IT leaders with signature-ready recommendations for adjusting policies and projects to achieve target business outcomes that capitalize on relevant business disruptions. (Gartner)

What are the benefits of Enterprise Architecture?
Enterprise architecture is regarded as one of the key ways to achieving competitive advantage through information technology. There is a growing pressure to reduce costs, increase flexibility, and regulate technology environments. Because of this, there has been an increased focus on Enterprise Architecture and thus an increasing demand for Enterprise Architect Professionals. 

What is an Enterprise Architect?
An Enterprise Architect ensures that business and technology are in alignment by linking the business mission, strategy, and processes of an organization to its technology strategy, and by documenting this using multiple architectural models or views. This results in showing how the current and future needs of an organization will be met in an efficient, sustainable, and adaptable manner.

Enterprise Architect Professionals need to be able to talk to both technical developers and business managers. They need to be able to articulate to the most senior person in the room why a project isn’t going to make its deadline and why. They also need to demonstrate how they are on the cutting edge of enterprise software and technology trends.

How do you become an Enterprise Architect?
If you’re aspiring to become an Enterprise Architect, it’s important to have a clear roadmap in order to make it in this demanding and competitive industry. One of the main requirements to becoming an Enterprise Architect is learning an EA framework that allows you to work with other architecture disciplines and a key milestone in this is obtaining an industry-leading EA Certification. The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) has certified over 80,000 people and is widely recognized as the best EA certification to hold. EA Principals run regular public TOGAF 9.2 training courses across the United States and Canada and we are also specialize in designing and delivering customized, onsite courses for private clients to address specific business needs, scenarios and learning requirements. 

Contact us today for a discussion with one of our EA specialists on how TOGAF Training and Certification can benefit you and your career.