Enterprise architects are responsible for designing and overseeing the implementation of information technology systems within an organization. They work with senior management to understand the business needs of the company and develop a plan that will best meet those needs using information technology.
The career path for an enterprise architect can be very rewarding, but it is not without its challenges. Here is everything you should know if you are thinking about embarking on this career path.
1. What Is An Enterprise Architect?
Enterprise architects are responsible for working with senior management to oversee the implementation of information technology. They develop a plan for how to best meet business needs using information technology and ensure that the project is successful.
This means that they may work on everything from developing new applications to improving existing systems, reviewing infrastructure design, and implementing changes within an organization.
Enterprise Architects may also be asked to apply their skills in order to meet compliance requirements, design business-to-business systems, and implement communication technologies, including VOIP.
The responsibility of the Enterprise Architect at any given company depends on the experience that they bring with them to the job. Someone with more experience is likely to be given greater responsibility for developing overall advice around technology.
2. What Is the Career Path for An Enterprise Architect?
The exact career path that you follow as an enterprise architect will differ depending on the company that you work for. Here are some of the most common positions within a company:
- Enterprise Architect โ Senior level position which typically requires at least five years experience as an enterprise architect. They may be required to develop overall advice around technology and ensure that all projects deliver according to the IT strategic plan for the organization.
- Enterprise Architect โ Newly created position which typically requires at least two years experience as an enterprise architect. May also need work on specific projects and oversee multiple smaller-scale programs and initiatives.
- Enterprise Architect โ Requires at least one year of experience as an enterprise architect. May need to develop design specifications and standards or work on specific projects.
3. How Can I Become an Enterprise Architect?
Here is what you need to do if you want to become an enterprise architect:
- Ensure that your technical skills are up-to-date โ You should have a good understanding of the latest technologies and be able to use them. This means having experience with both older systems as well as newer ones.
- Gain experience with both big and small-scale IT projects โ You should be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously as well as manage the work of others. This will require you to have experience with working closely together with other people.
- Gain business knowledge โ Enterprise architects are required to understand how technology can improve business outcomes. You should gain experience in your own time by taking online courses, reading books, and networking with other people in the industry.
- Get certified โ You should become an accredited ITIL practitioner or Professional Scrum Master. When you have completed these certification exams, send them to your employers so that they can see exactly what you are capable of.
4. How Much Does an Enterprise Architect Make?
As an enterprise architect, you can expect to earn between $100,000 and $150,000 annually. This varies depending on your experience in the industry as well as where you live.
Enterprise architects in New York City may expect to earn over $100,000 per year, while enterprise architects in cities like Albuquerque or Charlotte may expect to earn more than $130,000 per year. New businesses are more likely to pay their employees higher salaries than more established ones.
5. How Can I Find Enterprise Architect Jobs?
Enterprise architects typically work directly for an organization and therefore cannot be found through typical job sites like Monster or Indeed. Instead, you should check out the following resources:
- Professional associations โ Check for relevant professional associations and connect with their career sites. You can then send your resume and get in touch with relevant employers.
- Career fairs โ Look for career fairs that are being held by local companies in your area. This is a good way to make initial contact with employers and show them that you are interested in working for their company.
- Organizations โ Look for organizations that provide resources to the IT industry as they may have an employment section on their website. You can then send your resume and get in touch with relevant employers.
6. Enterprise Architect vs. CIO: What Is the Difference?
Enterprise architects do not have the same level of responsibility as CIOs. Enterprise architects have a lot more freedom and typically work on multiple projects at once. In contrast, CIOs manage one or two larger-scale projects at a time.
CIOs typically report directly to the CEO, while enterprise architects may report either directly to the CEO or to another member of the executive team. This will depend on the size and structure of your organization.
7. What Skills Do You Need to Become an Enterprise Architect?
To become an enterprise architect, you need to have the following skills:
- Ability to communicate โ The ability to write well and speak freely is important as you will need to explain your designs to other people in the organization.
- Problem-solving skills โ You should be able to address issues that come up during the implementation.
- Teamwork skills โ You should be able to work closely with other people in the organization. This means that you may need to negotiate or compromise during project implementation phases.
- Good technical knowledge โ This is important as it will ensure your designs are accurate and relevant to the current needs of organizations.
- Leadership skills โ You should be able to direct other members of the team and ensure that they are working towards a common goal.
- Self-motivation โ You should be able to work well on your own without requiring too much oversight during implementation phases.
- Analytical skills โ You should be able to research technologies that are relevant to the organizationโs needs and then implement them. This includes performing feasibility studies as well as making cost-benefit analyses.
8. When Does an Enterprise Architect Receive Certifications?
Enterprise architects are not often certified. However, they often receive certification for the technologies that they are proficient in doing. This may be during the implementation phase of a project where the enterprise architect is responsible for selecting specific tools and technologies to use. It can also occur before this phase if an organization requires it as part of its hiring process.
9. How Much Do Enterprise Architects Make Per Year?
The salaries that an enterprise architect can earn will depend on their experience and the size of the company. On average, they may expect to earn more than $130,000 per year. However, this can go much higher if they are particularly successful in their role.
10. What Is a Typical Day for an Enterprise Architect?
A typical day for an enterprise architect usually involves consulting with the rest of the team to determine what technologies should be used for a new project. They may also spend time looking into specific tools that will need to be implemented and researching how they can best meet the organizationโs needs. After that, they will present their findings to the rest of the team and then either begin implementing the project or continue with research.
A typical workday for an enterprise architect will vary depending on their specific role as well as the needs of the organization. This can range from attending meetings to doing research or presenting plans for new projects.
11. How Does an Enterprise Architect Create a Business Case?
Enterprise architects typically create a business case by using requirements from other projects in the organization to determine what kind of tools will be needed in the future. This involves performing feasibility studies and then making recommendations based on their findings as to what technologies would be most effective for the company.
12. What Is an Enterprise Architectโs Role in Project Management?
Enterprise architects do not usually have a specific role in project management, but they can play a significant part by providing research for other projects that can help determine whether they will be successful. During the implementation phase, an enterprise architect may also be responsible for selecting specific tools and technologies that make sense for a project to meet business needs.
Enterprise architects can perform many different roles in organizations, such as providing research for other projects through feasibility studies and by evaluating potential new technologies to determine how well they can meet the organizationโs needs.
13. What Is the Job Outlook for an Enterprise Architect?
The job outlook for enterprise architects is positive. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a significant number of jobs available for this profession in the future due to high turnover and retirements among current employees. The BLS also stated that turnover was typically low in this occupation, so it is unlikely that there will ever be a shortage of opportunities available.
14. How Many Years Is an Enterprise Architectโs Education?
An enterprise architect may be required to have a masterโs degree in information technology or a related field. However, some organizations will only require a bachelorโs degree, while others will want someone with several more years of experience instead.
There is no standard path for becoming an enterprise architect. It can take many years to advance in the profession, as demonstrated by successful enterprise architects who have been practicing for more than ten years.
One of the major requirements for becoming an enterprise architect is a masterโs degree in information technology or a related field. However, some organizations will only require a bachelorโs degree, while others will want someone with several more years of experience instead.
Enterprise architects are not required to have specific certifications, but they may want to seek out an industry certification through organizations such as the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) or the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).
15. Top Recruiting Companies for an Enterprise Architect
There are many companies that look for enterprise architects, including IBM, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., The Boeing Company, and the United States Department of Defense.
Enterprise architects will typically handle a wide range of responsibilities and can work in different fields such as information technology, insurance, and finance. Therefore, it is difficult to pinpoint the specific companies that handle enterprise architecture positions most frequentlyโhowever, some of the top companies who do include IBM and Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
16. Best Colleges to Study Enterprise Architecture
Those who are interested in becoming an enterprise architect may want to look into one of the following colleges where programs in information technology can be found:
University of Wisconsin โ Milwaukee, Arizona State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and North Carolina State University.
While there is no specific degree for an enterprise architect, candidates may want to look into a masterโs degree in information technology or a related field such as business administration because it can make them more competitive as future employees.
17. Online Courses to Study Enterprise Architecture
There are many online courses that cover enterprise architecture topics, such as the following:
Enterprise Architecture Foundations by Linkedin learning
This course will provide the basics of how to create effective architecture practices that can be used across an organization.
Standard 9.1- Part 1 Foundation Enterprise Architect Course by Udemy
This course provides students with an introduction to the fundamentals of enterprise architecture and suggests ways to apply what they have learned in a professional work setting.
Enterprise Architecture by Udemy
This course provides students with an introduction to enterprise architecture and the concepts that are used across an organization.
Standard 9.1- Part 2 Certified Enterprise Architect Course by Udemy
This course provides an understanding of the foundational concepts that are associated with enterprise architecture.
Enterprise Architecture by Coursera
This course provides students with the tools and knowledge needed to develop strategies for information technology.
Conclusion
Enterprise architects are in charge of designing and implementing enterprise-wide IT solutions. They oversee the technical design, development, and implementation of business systems. As a result, they need to have an understanding of software engineering concepts as well as management skills. Building things from scratch is not for everyone, but if youโve been itching to branch out into new territory or just want more responsibility than your current role offers, this may be worth exploring.
