The Role of Enterprise Architect
Purpose of research
Enable better interaction among each of the different roles as well as provide a basis for formulating the competencies required to perform the duties associated with the position
better understanding of the education, training, and experience necessary to acquire entry-level qualifications into the profession
the competence level of enterprise architects increases, it is speculated that enterprise architecture will provide a greater impact on improving organizational performance and achievement of the strategic vision
Challenge
Emphasis on creating and exchanging knowledge that requires a new organizational model to replace the obsolete structures of the industrial age
Transforming government to meet the current and emerging challenges
Absence of clear definitions for the roles that influence architecture success, architects may be viewed as providing no specific value
Opinion
Systems and enterprise architecture are similar enough disciplines that there need not be differentiation between them (Pavlak 2005a, b)
The skills required to practice systems architecture may be very different than those required to practice enterprise architecture (Dick et al., 2004)
Enterprise architect must seek to understand and articulate the capabilities the organization has as well as the capabilities required to implement the business strategy.
System architecture is normally a high level design for a specified need while EA provides flexible solutions to address ad hoc situations (Chorafas 2002)
several core roles of enterprise architects and categorized the competencies required for each. (Bredemeyer and Malan 2004)
Categories
change agent
Communicator
Leader
Manager
Modeler
supports enterprise leaders in establishing and promoting the best strategy to accomplish business goals and objectives
assists managers, analysts, systems architects, and engineers in understanding the details of the strategy sufficiently well to make decisions and execute the plan that leads to realization of the shared vision
participates in creating a shared vision, motivating members of the enterprise to aspire to achieving the vision, and providing clear direction regarding what is required to execute a strategy to accomplish goals and objectives that result in performance improvements
provides a representation of the relationships of enterprise components with sufficient detail and in the format needed to enable making necessary decisions to execute the strategic plan.
organizes the architecture team and ensures that adequate resources are secured to perform the architecture process
Enterprise Architect
creates the path from the present to the future for the enterprise by taking a holistic view of the enterprise and integrating the business plans with the technical capabilities
has the maestro view of the enterprise
aligning technology with the business goals and objectives by managing the complex set of interdependencies to communicate a common or shared vision of the strategic direction of the enterprise
analytical change management, communication, interpersonal, leadership, management, modeling and problem solving skills as well as business acumen and technical acumen
Competency
Change management is needed
able to facilitate the implementation of the target enterprise architecture
Communication skills are a critical
effective enterprise architect who must communicate concepts to people who are generally pragmatic in their thinking and struggle with understanding and expressing concepts
Leadership is needed
able to help create a vision that everyone is motivated to achieve and provide the guidance needed to make the vision achievable
modeling was identified
able to model reality in a naturally graphic manner with detailed drawings illustrating complex relationships.
categories of organizational positioning
administrative board of directors
financial management
information technology
operations management
strategic planning offices