As organizations become increasingly reliant on technology to achieve strategic objectives, the role of enterprise architects has become crucial as they act as the bridge between business goals and the IT infrastructure, ensuring alignment and driving efficiency. In 2023, 62% of IT professionals say that there is increasing demand for enterprise architecture (EA) services from the previous year (BizzDesign) – this trend looks to continue.

The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) defines different levels of the enterprise architect within organizations, each with specific responsibilities and skill sets. While Foundation Architects possess foundational knowledge of the framework and Principal Architects lead architecture development and provide strategic guidance, enterprise architects of all levels will benefit from certain skills that will aid them in their endeavor to deliver tangible business value.

Here are 9 essential enterprise architect skills for the coming years:

1. Advanced Negotiation and Collaboration

Effective communication remains the cornerstone of successful EA initiatives. As such, enterprise architects rely on their ability to articulate complex technical concepts in layman’s terms is crucial when interfacing with stakeholders across different departments to secure buy-in for larger projects.

Collaboration skills are vital as enterprise architects often lead cross-functional teams to align business goals with technological solutions. 70% of employers worldwide rate communication as the most sought-after skill in employees (Pumble).

Additionally, as enterprise architects are responsible for bridging the gap between business and IT, adept negotiation is essential when dealing with vendors, managing internal conflicts, and fostering collaboration between diverse teams to ensure successful project execution. These are skills can be attuned and refined, particularly for more senior enterprise architects, via various industry-related events and networks, such as Aurora Live Executive Business Network where top business leaders gather to exchange ideas and challenges.

2. Adaptability and Flexibility

In a dynamic business environment, enterprise architects must swiftly adapt to technological developments, market trends, and organizational priorities. The ability to pivot strategies and architectures to meet evolving business needs is paramount. With the rapid pace of digital transformation, adaptability ensures relevance and resilience in the face of uncertainty.

A key component of this is project and change management. A study by German digital association BITKOM e.V. found that of all failed IT projects, 75% can be attributed to errors in the early stages. They found that the most common reasons are unclear requirements, time and budget planning errors, and inadequate communication between project stakeholders.

It’s no surprise then that strong management skills will come in handy as architects navigate resistance and guide stakeholders through the adoption of new technologies while adapting to the changing tech landscape and needs to ensure a stable and mature EA system within their organizations.

3. Visionary Leadership 

Marcus Blosch, research vice president at Gartner says: “In reality, architecture is 90% people and 10% architecture. As an enterprise architect, to provide real value to your organization, you must be able to bring people together in whatever way works and help them collaborate.”

Enterprise architects are not just technical experts but also strategic leaders who influence decision-making at the highest levels. Big picture thinking enables enterprise architects to inspire teams, drive change, and garner support for innovative initiatives. In turn, an enterprise architect with strategic vision can effectively translate business objectives into actionable IT roadmaps, ensuring technology investments directly contribute to the company’s long-term goals. This level of leadership skill and visionary thinking is particularly crucial for enterprise architects in a manager role and above.

4. Critical Thinking and Problem-solving

The IT landscape is constantly evolving and requires enterprise architects to make informed decisions in the face of incomplete information. For such high-risk decision-making relating to an organization’s entire architecture, strong analytical skills, the ability to weigh risks and benefits, and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances become paramount. Organizations rely on enterprise architects to analyze complex situations, identify root causes, and develop innovative solutions on the fly.

Having an enterprise-wide perspective places enterprise architects in the unique position to come up with these solutions and creative ideas to ensure that the IT and business needs of their organizations are met and working in concert with each other to produce the desired results. After all, problem-solving is the most sought-after skill by IT managers when hiring (Statista).

5. Technical Proficiency

Mastery of technical domains such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics is indispensable for enterprise architects.

In terms of the cloud, Gartner predicts that by 2025, at least 85% of enterprises will embrace a cloud-first principle and rely on cloud-nature architectures and technologies to fully execute their business strategies. Therefore, a strong grasp of evolving cloud architecture and solutions is essential for enterprise architects to design, implement, and manage IT infrastructure in a scalable and cost-effective manner on the cloud. Continuous learning and upskilling are essential to maintain technical relevance and proficiency.

Enterprise architects also require a deep understanding of cybersecurity best practices and data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA as it is crucial for designing secure and compliant IT systems that safeguard sensitive information. This is particularly important given the ever-growing threat landscape. A report by Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that global cybercrime costs will reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.

Other technical skills enterprise architects need to stay updated on include advances in:

• API management
• Data analytics
• Microservices architecture
• Risk analysis
• IT governance

6. Strategic Planning and Business Acumen

A deep understanding of industry dynamics, market trends, and competitive landscapes empowers architects to design future-proof architectures that drive business growth. According to Forbes, 94% of top-performing companies prioritize strategic planning and execution. Enterprise architects who can do the same will reap the benefits of long-term, big-picture thinking.

Organizations with mature enterprise architecture are guided by architects who understand the overarching environment and value-creation model of their organization as well as the strategies in place to sustain its competitive edge. This level of corporate strategy insight coupled with advanced portfolio planning greatly aids an organization’s move toward its targets.

The ability to articulate and demonstrate this level of strategic planning also goes a long way in helping enterprise architects garner board-level support for future EA training, development, and investment to develop a mature EA. Via executive business networks like Aurora Live, you can also stay updated with the latest industry trends and learn directly from experts, enabling you to secure that board-level buy-in.

7. Analytical Thinking

Complex business challenges require enterprise architects to employ analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Whether it’s optimizing processes, mitigating risks, or resolving architectural conflicts, architects rely on data-driven insights to make informed decisions. The ability to deconstruct problems and devise innovative solutions is instrumental in driving business transformation.

Here, risk management and understanding come into play as well, particularly in presentations tailored for C-suites and boards who will have to weigh such information against investment priorities when it comes to approving enterprise-wide IT plans. The enterprise architect who can present an overview of the problems and required solutions while demonstrating business value is an indispensable resource to C-suites, especially given how fast technology is advancing. Architects will also benefit from using emerging technologies such as AI-enabled solutions to help streamline and supplement their analyses.

8. Mastering Enterprise Architecture Frameworks

It may go without saying, but proficiency in industry-standard enterprise architecture frameworks like TOGAF and Zachman provides a structured approach to enterprise architecture development. These frameworks offer a common language and methodology for modeling, analyzing, and designing complex systems. By mastering and leveraging established frameworks, enterprise architects ensure consistency, scalability, and interoperability across organizational domains. There are plenty of certifications available for enterprise architects to hone their skills in this department and work their way up the ranks of the EA field.

The role of enterprise architecture is built upon experience and vast knowledge of various IT architecture domains and renewing certification in these – including software architecture, solution architecture, and domain architecture – will prove useful.

9. Emerging Technology Expertise

The pace of technological change is relentless. Enterprise architects can stay ahead of the curve by staying informed about cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the latest in cybersecurity technologies. This knowledge allows them to recommend the most appropriate solutions to optimize business processes and gain an edge in the market. It also enables enterprise architects to anticipate future business needs and proactively design IT infrastructure to accommodate potential disruptions and innovation opportunities.

Skilled Enterprise Architects Are Strategists

With the increased reliance on technology, skilled enterprise architects are becoming key strategic players within organizations. As a crucial bridge between two key functions – business and IT – enterprise architects can benefit from tapping into a network of ideas and support. Staying updated on the latest market trends, learning insights from subject-matter experts, and sparring with peers in across different industries are all important strategies for enterprise architects to stay sharp and efficient.