Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a critical discipline for modern organizations, helping them align IT systems with strategic business goals.However, the education and training for aspiring EAs often lacks the structure and rigor found in other fields like aviation.By drawing inspiration from aviation training, incorporating the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) maturity model, utilizing the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) for skills assessment, and embracing modern methodologies like gap analysis and visualization, we can revolutionize how we teach EA and empower future architects to tackle complex challenges.

Learning from Aviation and GAO:

Just as pilots learn through realistic simulations, scenario-based learning can immerse EA students in business disruptions, teaching them to make critical decisions under pressure. Checklists and standard operating procedures, commonplace in aviation, can be adapted to EA tasks for increased efficiency and accuracy. Crew Resource Management principles can foster collaboration and effective communication among stakeholders. The aviation industry’s focus on continuous learning and safety culture can inspire EAs to stay updated with emerging trends and prioritize continuous improvement.

The GAO’s Architecture Maturity Model for Transformation identifies four key attributes for successful EA programs:

1. Leadership Commitment: Top-level support ensures EA initiatives are prioritized and resources are allocated effectively.
2. Governance: Clear roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes provide structure and accountability.
3. Methodology: A defined and repeatable approach guides EA activities and ensures consistency.
4. Human Capital: Skilled and motivated EA professionals are essential for successful implementation.

Incorporating these attributes into EA education emphasizes the importance of leadership buy-in, strong governance structures, well-defined methodologies, and the development of skilled professionals.

SFIA for Skills Assessment:

The SFIA framework, managed by the British Computer Society, offers a comprehensive set of skills and competencies relevant to EA. By aligning EA education with SFIA, we can ensure that students develop the specific skills needed for success in the field. SFIA can be used to assess students’ current skill levels, identify areas for improvement, and tailor learning plans accordingly.

Embracing Gap Analysis and Visualization:

Gap analysis, informed by SFIA assessments, allows for personalized learning plans tailored to each student’s strengths and weaknesses, while visualizations like diagrams and heatmaps simplify complex concepts and aid comprehension. These tools empower students to track their progress in their architecture role, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately become more effective architects. The ArchiMate EA language, supplemented by some additional UML and BPMN elements can contribute a lot to capturing gaps and building roadmaps.

Integrating Leading Frameworks and Minimum Viable Architecture (MVA):

Leading frameworks like TOGAF, DODAF, SAFe, and FEAF provide invaluable guidance for EA initiatives. Incorporating these frameworks into the curriculum, alongside SFIA-aligned skill development, equips students with the knowledge and skills to navigate diverse organizational landscapes and apply industry-recognized best practices.

Teaching EAs to build MVAs is crucial in today’s agile environment. By focusing on core business needs and avoiding over-engineering, MVAs enable faster delivery of value, reduced risk, and increased adaptability to changing requirements. Starting with a simplified model and iteratively refining it based on feedback ensures that the architecture aligns with evolving business needs.

The Future of EA Education:

By adopting these innovative approaches, EA education can become more engaging, effective, and relevant to the challenges faced by modern organizations. As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, EA education must adapt to equip future architects with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

By combining the best practices from aviation, the GAO’s maturity model, SFIA for skills assessment, gap analysis, visualization, leading frameworks, and MVA principles, we can pave the way for a new generation of highly skilled and adaptable enterprise architects who can drive innovation and success in the digital age.

Conclusion:

While it’s imperative to consider best guidance for the academic part of an EA’s capabilities, just as with the necessity of ground school for pilots, one must actually architect/fly to actualize the learnings. 

There is currently a random path to an EA’s learning, even though they are challenged with designing and guiding enterprise-scale transformations. This means the outcome of their engagement in such roles is unpredictable.

I think that students should be sponsored for holistic and comprehensive training, as well as for the help of an expert mentor as they gain the opportunities to contribute to their enterprises.

In short, EA education must go beyond certifications with a Master EA integration capstone course customized for their context. This should be followed up with some vetted mentoring for their first few months of applying and refining their knowledge and skills. Ideally, some of the outputs from the training and mentoring will be specialized play books/checklists covering principal work flows/patterns 

Authored by Dr. Steve Else, Chief Architect & Principal Instructor