Introduction
Who is an Enterprise Architect?
An Enterprise Architect is in charge of the drawing board of an enterprise. He or she plays a significant role in helping a company achieve its goals and move towards the ultimate vision. They do this by evaluating every sector and finding areas that are not well functioning, then strategizing ways to help such areas.
They work under the Chief Enterprise Architect or the Enterprise Architecture Manager and report to them.
Additionally, they spend time researching ways that every department can improve to perform better. They find usefulness even in the recruitment of new staff, to ensure that those to consider for employment have what it takes to function in such capacities.
In many firms, at some points, employees are taken on courses and training to expose them to new models and procedures. Enterprise Architects are usually behind such suggestions.
Apart from these, they also help devise ways of improving organization and facilitating duties. Some of these are cataloging, and other data storage mediums invented by them.
Furthermore, these professionals are usually graduates of Information Technology, Project Management, or related fields. They get to practice with Bachelor’s degrees but are to advance on their career.
To find out more about what they do, keep reading.
Responsibilities of an Enterprise Architect.
As explained earlier, the duties of Enterprise Architects are very important, especially in growing firms. Some of them are highlighted below:
- Observing every department of the organization.
- Researching to find out areas in which departments lack competency.
- Researching ways of improvement in these areas.
- Tabling suggestions before their heads, for input in board meetings.
- Coming up with new cataloging and storage systems and introducing these to other staff.
- Registering for and attending seminars and training in this area.
- Teaching and training junior staff.
- Being part of the interview process of new employees to ensure they have the necessary skills and competencies.
Qualifications for practice as an Enterprise Architect.
This position requires adequate qualifications. To practice as an Enterprise Architect in the United States, the following are necessary:
- Firstly, a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Data Application, or Enterprise Architecture.
- Secondly, a Master’s degree in Enterprise Architecture.
- Thirdly, evidence of passing the Architecture Registration Examination (ARE).
- Also, work experience in the IT department, or a similar area.
- Furthermore, depending on the kind of degree gotten, they are required to undergo intan internship with The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) or the Intern Development Program (IDP) by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
Also, some skills, as you expect, are necessary to gain employment or promotion to this position. This is because they make it easier for employees to deliver well in this role. Some of them include:
- Great Interpersonal skills.
- Good Observation skills.
- Analytical skills.
- Computer skills.
- Documentation skills.
- Research skills.
- Leadership skills.
- Public speaking skills.
- Teaching skills.
- Presentation skills.
- Research skills.
- Project management.
- Time Management skills.
- Good communication skills.
Salary
Enterprise Architects are one of the top-earning staff in the United States. They earn an average of around $144,813 per year. As you know, this figure can be way higher in some firms. It all depends on factors such as:
- Size of the organization.
- Qualification of the staff.
- Experience of the staff.
- The geographic location of the organization, etc.
Career Path
Higher positions of course come with higher pay. The career paths of Enterprise Architects usually start from IT staff or another lower position. From there, with advancement in qualification and display of competence, they get promoted to Enterprise Architect. They can also move from here to the Enterprise Architecture Manager, to Senior Enterprise Architecture Manager. The highest position in this career is that of the Vice President of Information Technology.
Work Environment
The work environment of an Enterprise Architect is usually an office setting. They work full time, under the supervision of Enterprise Architecture Managers. Also, they do not work on weekends public holidays.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, Enterprise Architects are staff of growing organizations whose duties revolve around helping the firm achieve its goals. They do this via various means, especially in the IT department. Additionally, several skills are necessary to gain employment in this position.
In conclusion, the career offers the opportunity of growing on the job and being of positive help to a company. This is a noble profession.
