Introduction

Enterprise architects guide transformational change. Here is some guidance for software developers, analysts, solutions architects, IT managers, and others who are interested in becoming enterprise architects. It also applies to enterprise architects who wish to master their roles or become chief enterprise architects.

Learn and Apply the Canon

The international standard “ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010:2022 Software, systems, and enterprise — Architecture description” defines the core of the field. The TOGAF standard gives detailed and comprehensive guidance on the practice of enterprise architecture. The ArchiMate standard provides a graphical language aligned with TOGAF for modeling and relating the motivations and strategy of an enterprise, the structure and function of its business, application and technology layers, and the implementation and migration plans that effect transitions between architectures.

Enterprise architects understand these standards and put them to use. They construct and use, for example, business scenarios; capability, value stream and customer journey maps; business process diagrams; reference models; architecture patterns and building blocks; and both free-form and structured architecture visualizations.

The TOGAF and ArchiMate standards are quite readable and are freely available from the Open Group. The ISO standard is quite readable as well but must be purchased from the standards body. Self-study and practice using free or inexpensive modeling tools is possible, but organizations like EA Principals offer courses in TOGAF and ArchiMate that efficiently teach the knowledge and skills required for certification by The Open Group.

Cultivate Knowledge of Value to your Organization

Enterprise architects evaluate and coordinate the work of solutions, cybersecurity, and data architects and other experts in specific technologies and business areas. They work with business and technology leaders to align on how architectures are created, implemented, and evaluated; and on the target state of the organization and the transitional architectures that will lead it there. This requires significant general business and technology knowledge, including knowledge of data management and cybersecurity. In addition, enterprise architects cultivate deeper, specialized knowledge in areas of importance to their organization, such as key technology platforms and industry-specific reference architectures, formalized bodies of knowledge, and standards.

Enterprise architects also gather information quickly and efficiently as they develop and evaluate architectures. They use search engines and generative AI chatbots to gather and compose information. They also, however, carefully verify information generated with these tools.

Build Influencing and Facilitation Skills

Enterprise architects have exceptional spoken, written, and graphic communication skills. They tailor their communications to their audience they need to influence. They lead diverse groups of people in workshops that gather information, generate ideas, solve problems, and make decisions and plans. Enterprise architects acquire these skills through practice, coaching, and courses offered by their organizations, external firms, and online learning platforms. They keep these skills sharp by constantly practicing them and seeking feedback on how they are coming across and the results they are producing.

Build Relationships with Leaders

Enterprise architects build relationships with leaders of their organizations. They make themselves known. They take on highly visible assignments and deliver them well. They ask leaders what they are most concerned about and offer to help. They become trusted advisors.

Collaborate with Leaders on Strategic Artifacts

As they build relationships with leaders and learn what concerns them most, enterprise architects develop artifacts that depict what they find out. They then ask the same leaders for feedback. In doing this, they both establish their credibility and move the organization forward.

Look for Opportunities to Practice Full-Stack Enterprise Architecture

Full-stack (business, data application and technology, or BDAT) enterprise architecture begins with clarifying and modeling the organization’s business context, including its markets, customers, partnerships, motivations, and strategies—in an efficient manner that rapidly puts the most important challenges in sharp focus.

Enterprise architects seek opportunities to clarify and accelerate where it matters most. Then, once they build and express consensus on the business context, they lead collaboration on baseline, target, and transition BDAT architectures.

Conclusion

Enterprise architecture is a field for individuals with a passion for learning, discovering, creating, collaborating, and guiding. Enterprise architects continually build their knowledge and skills, and nurture strong relationships by using them to benefit others and guide their organizations to success.

Authored by Iver Band, EA Principals Senior Instructor and ArchiMate Expert