Enterprise Architect

The role of the Enterprise Architect

More and more organizations offer an Enterprise Architect job description, including the level at which the Enterprise Architect acts.

The role of the Enterprise Architect can range from an Enterprise Information Analyst to a System Designer to a Strategic Management Consultant. If you are the head of some Enterprise Architects, often this title is Chief Architect or Lead Architect.

enterprise architect what is it

From the perspective of Dragon1, an Enterprise Architect at best works at a strategic level, designing total concepts for enterprise-wide solutions and fundamental strategic business / IT changes.

You can download this Enterprise Architect Job Description [PDF] and use it for your internal job descriptions. If you want to use this commercially, you need to contact Dragon1 Architecture Foundation, info@dragon1.org.

pdf icon Enterprise Architect Job Description

Enterprise Architect Definition

Dragon1 Open EA Method defines an Enterprise Architect as the designer of total concepts for Enterprise Structures and the supervisor of realizing these Enterprise Structures and implementing the total concept.

So the focus of an Enterprise Architect is to design architecture, where enterprise architecture equals a specific total concept, namely a concept consisting of constructive, operative, and decorative concepts.

Enterprise Architect and Professional Products

Some important professional products and deliverables that are compliant with the open EA Method, created by the Enterprise Architect, include:

  • Architecture Repository (the storage for the dossiers)
  • EA Dossier (containing products, documents, models, and visualizations)
  • Architecture Documents / Products like:
    1. Architecture notes and memos
    2. Architecture annual plan
    3. Total Concepts / Architectures descriptions
    4. Architecture Designs
    5. Reference Architectures
    6. Functional Specifications
    7. Cost Estimates
    8. Stakeholder Analysis
    9. Master Plan
    10. User Requirements
    11. Program of Requirements
    12. Scenario Analysis
    13. Impact Analysis
    14. Risk Assessments
    15. Glossary of Terms
    16. Architecture Principles
  • Architecture Models like:
    1. Meta Models
    2. Distribution-Chain models
    3. Domains Model
    4. Functions Model
    5. Technical Model
  • Architecture Visualizations like:
    1. Frameworks
    2. Landscapes
    3. Situation sketches
    4. Roadmaps
    5. Blueprints
    6. Structure visions
    7. Visions
    8. Sketch Total Concept Design
    9. Stakeholder Onion Diagram
  • Different Viewpoints from the Same Architecture Models

This list is not limited, but gives a good impression of what Enterprise Architects typically create for their clients.

Enterprise Architect Tool

Enterprise Architects in their function, role, and tasks make use of tools to create architecture products or deliverables. The most used architectural tools are still Pen, Paper, MS PowerPoint, MS Visio, and MS Excel.

With tools, an architect can create their building blocks and fragments and reuse the parts of their architecture more.

Dragon1 is an EA Software Platform for working with Enterprise Architecture and can be perfectly used as an Enterprise Architecture Tool.

Enterprise Architect Training

Dragon1 Academy offers training and certification in the EA Basic User Tool training and also in the EA Method (Foundation and EA Bridge) for anyone who wants to become an Enterprise Architect.

Dragon1 Academy believes that certification after training works both ways. As a business professional, you must take that extra step to pass the exam. This will help you master the training theory more effectively.

Additionally, certification helps you communicate your competencies and capabilities to others. Therefore, you can certify yourself not only as an architect in the method but also as a user of the software platform.