Enterprise architect
Encyclopedia
Enterprise architects are practitioners of enterprise architecture
; an information technology management discipline that operates within organizations.
Enterprise architects operate across organizational and computing "silos" to drive common approaches and expose information assets and processes across the enterprise. Their goal is to deliver an architecture that supports the most efficient and secure IT environment meeting a company's business needs.
Enterprise architects are like city planners, providing the roadmaps and regulations that a city uses to manage its growth and provide services to its citizens. In this analogy, it is possible to differentiate the role of the system architect, who plans one or more buildings; software architects, who are responsible for something analogous to the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) within the building; network architects, who are responsible for something like the plumbing within the building, and the water and sewer infrastructure between buildings or parts of a city. The enterprise architect however, like a city planner, both frames the city-wide design, and choreographs other activities into the larger plan.
Delivered successfully, an enterprise architecture has the potential to allow both the Business and IT strategies to enable and drive each other. Therefore, effective enterprise architecture may be regarded as one of the key means to achieving competitive advantage through information technology.
To be successful in large organizations, enterprise architecture requires a top-level mandate, executive buy-in, tools, deliverables, formal structures and governance, and resourcing. Other factors for success include business unit stakeholder buy-in, a non-centralist approach (federated effort with central coordination only), a strong theoretical base (get the basics right), a practical focus (avoid dogma), adaptable tools (evolve constantly), user and “business owner” feedback loops, as well as reinforcement through measurement.
Enterprise architecture
An enterprise architecture is a rigorous description of the structure of an enterprise, which comprises enterprise components , the externally visible properties of those components, and the relationships between them...
; an information technology management discipline that operates within organizations.
Role of enterprise architects
Enterprise Architects work with stakeholders, both leadership and subject matter experts, to build a holistic view of the organization's strategy, processes, information, and information technology assets. The role of the Enterprise Architect is to take this knowledge and ensure that the business and IT are in alignment. The enterprise architect links the business mission, strategy, and processes of an organization to its IT strategy, and documents this using multiple architectural models or views that show how the current and future needs of an organization will be met in an efficient, sustainable, agile, and adaptable manner.Enterprise architects operate across organizational and computing "silos" to drive common approaches and expose information assets and processes across the enterprise. Their goal is to deliver an architecture that supports the most efficient and secure IT environment meeting a company's business needs.
Enterprise architects are like city planners, providing the roadmaps and regulations that a city uses to manage its growth and provide services to its citizens. In this analogy, it is possible to differentiate the role of the system architect, who plans one or more buildings; software architects, who are responsible for something analogous to the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) within the building; network architects, who are responsible for something like the plumbing within the building, and the water and sewer infrastructure between buildings or parts of a city. The enterprise architect however, like a city planner, both frames the city-wide design, and choreographs other activities into the larger plan.
Delivered successfully, an enterprise architecture has the potential to allow both the Business and IT strategies to enable and drive each other. Therefore, effective enterprise architecture may be regarded as one of the key means to achieving competitive advantage through information technology.
Responsibilities of enterprise architects
- Alignment of IT strategy and planning with company's business goals.
- Optimization of information management approaches through an understanding of evolving business needs and technology capabilities.
- Long-term strategic responsibility for the company's IT systems.
- Promotion of shared infrastructure and applications to reduce costs and improve information flows. Ensure that projects do not duplicate functionality or diverge from each other and business and IT strategies.
- Work with solutions architectSolutions ArchitectA Solutions Architect in Enterprise Architecture is a practitioner in the field of Solution Architecture.The role title has a wider meaning in relation to solving problems, but is more often used in the narrower domain of Technical architecture - the context for the remainder of this definition...
(s) to provide a consensus based enterprise solution that is scalable, adaptable and in synchronization with ever changing business needs. - Management of the risks associated with information and IT assets through appropriate standards and security policies.
- Direct or indirect involvement in the development of policies, standards and guidelines that direct the selection, development, implementation and use of Information Technology within the enterprise.
- Build employee knowledge and skills in specific areas of expertise.
Skills and knowledge
- Systems ThinkingSystems thinkingSystems thinking is the process of understanding how things influence one another within a whole. In nature, systems thinking examples include ecosystems in which various elements such as air, water, movement, plants, and animals work together to survive or perish...
- the ability to see how parts interact with the whole (big picture thinking) - Knowledge of the business for which the enterprise architecture is being developed
- Interpersonal and leadership skills - servant leadershipServant leadershipServant leadership is a philosophy and practice of leadership, coined and defined by Robert K. Greenleaf and supported by many leadership and management writers such as James Autry, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Peter Block, Peter Senge, Max DePree, Scott Greenberg, Larry Spears, Margaret...
, collaboration, facilitation, and negotiation skills - Emotional intelligenceEmotional intelligenceEmotional intelligence is a skill or ability in the case of the trait EI model, a self-perceived ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups. Various models and definitions have been proposed of which the ability and trait EI models are the most...
- self awareness, confidence, ability to manage conflict, empathy - Communication skills, both written and spoken
- Ability to explain complex technical issues in a way that non-technical people may understand
- Knowledge of IT governance and operations
- Comprehensive knowledge of hardware, software, application, and systems engineering
- Project and program management planning and organizational skills
- Knowledge of financial modeling as it pertains to IT investment
- Customer service orientation
- Time management and prioritization
Collaboration
The Enterprise Architect often closely collaborates with:- Business analystBusiness analystA Business Analyst analyzes the organization and design of businesses, government departments, and non-profit organizations; BAs also assess business models and their integration with technology.-Levels:...
- System analyst
- Information architect
- Solutions architectSolutions ArchitectA Solutions Architect in Enterprise Architecture is a practitioner in the field of Solution Architecture.The role title has a wider meaning in relation to solving problems, but is more often used in the narrower domain of Technical architecture - the context for the remainder of this definition...
- Software architectSoftware architectSoftware architect is a general term with many accepted definitions, which refers to a broad range of roles. Generally accepted terminology and certifications began appearing in connection with this role near the beginning of the 21st century.-History:...
- Systems architectSystems architectThe systems architect establishes the basic structure of the system, defining the essential core design features and elements that provide the framework for all that follows, and are the hardest to change later....
- Application developer
- Release deployer
- IT Administrator
- Project managerProject managerA project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of any project, typically relating to construction industry, architecture, computer networking, telecommunications or software...
- Project management office
- CIOChief information officerChief information officer , or information technology director, is a job title commonly given to the most senior executive in an enterprise responsible for the information technology and computer systems that support enterprise goals...
- Business Leads
To be successful in large organizations, enterprise architecture requires a top-level mandate, executive buy-in, tools, deliverables, formal structures and governance, and resourcing. Other factors for success include business unit stakeholder buy-in, a non-centralist approach (federated effort with central coordination only), a strong theoretical base (get the basics right), a practical focus (avoid dogma), adaptable tools (evolve constantly), user and “business owner” feedback loops, as well as reinforcement through measurement.
Further reading
- Professional Practice Guide for Enterprise Architects
- Enterprise Architecture Profession 10 Year Roadmap
- IBM Developer Works: Article on SOA user roles
- Daljit Banger Rise of the Enterprise Architect, British Computer Society, March 2006