Enterprise architecture has made great progress over the past decade. With more and more new technologies coming out, it is important to take full advantage of these factors to create enterprise architecture better. By integrating new technologies into enterprise architecture, plentiful achievements can be made even in difficult times.

This article will introduce the five features of modern enterprise architects that everyone is supposed to know. In addition, you can learn how to build the required features to remain relativity and to develop your own business.

1.  The IT strategy driver

The strategic IT driving force can help to form IT strategies. Although there are multiple standard strategies in IT, the exact requirements for each product can vary from many aspects. IT drivers will consider all of these factors and will help us develop a meaningful strategy based on the information.

There are several aspects that can affect the company's IT strategy that is known as influencing factors. Influencing factors can be internal or external, depending on the project and its impact. For example, you would work much easier if you want to develop an IT strategy for the internal department. Problems arise when the influencing factors are external. It means that we can’t control these factors. Examples of external influences include demand, competition, rules, rewards, etc.

Some aspects are also known as static impact factors because they always exist, and static impact factors such as cost play an important role in determining the overall strategy of the enterprise.

The main role of these factors is to help us develop the best strategy. Influencing factors are often strategic key determinants. You have to consider as many factors as possible to develop the best strategies to stand the test of time. A strategic attitude is crucial in order to break the fixed mindset and propose innovative and effective solutions.

2. Agile thinker

An excellent enterprise architect is a person who can do his work efficiently. Creating a strategy or understanding all the variables involved is an extremely complex process. Sometimes, it may even take weeks to complete the first step. Even so, modern enterprise architects must be able to think independently, and they need to come up with unique solutions before other companies and implement them first.

Agile thinking is crucial not only for enterprise architects but also for a lot of other workers in IT. Agile thinking is not just thinking quickly, it also means thinking correctly. Agile thinking requires trimming the sails when improving models and solutions.

Being an agile thinker is the key to becoming a modern enterprise architect successfully. As the market changes rapidly, the architect has to adapt to all the changes and make the solution steady.

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3. Data-based decision-makers

Data-based decision-makers are able to use the facts and logic in the available information to make wise decisions. As many professionals say, everything you need is in the data you are exposed to. Therefore, data-based decisions are a fundamental quality of all enterprise architects. This process helps identify system management plans, operational routes, and other content that align with your business goals. One of the main sources of decision data is the user itself. Companies usually collect data from users and use that data to analyze users’ behavior.

As more data is collected, it will become difficult to analyze all of this data. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the latest developments in the field of data analysis in time, in order to use this information to further promote the development of companies. Being a data-based decision-maker does not mean we need not take any risks. On the contrary, it means that the data can be analyzed to calculate risks and prepare proper risk management solutions.

4. Technical specialist

Every enterprise architect needs to have professional skills. The skills are varied in different industries, but it is important to maintain some specialized skills in their respective fields. The one who has professional skills has a greater advantage than others. Besides, the technical knowledge can help you understand how the product comes out and what you need to do to accomplish it.

Professional skills can help you make a better plan strategy and identify the best resource allocation.

5. Innovation driver

Driving innovation is one of the few skills that have become crucial because of modernization. Since everyone has access to the same resources, companies are seeking strategic innovations to take competitive advantages in the market. With the development of technology, the need for innovation will continue to grow.

Six methods to establish these features

1. Leading by customers

Leading by customers can help companies develop the best strategies. The solution depends on multiple aspects, such as requirements and demands. The best way to identify all the needs to make a perfect solution is leading by customers.

If you can keep customers in mind all the time, you can better understand customers’ needs.

2. Data-driven approach

A data-driven approach means using a variety of data to analyze multiple factors and make informed decisions accordingly. With the rise of data science and analysis, the data-driven approach became popular, and it became easier to analyze the collected data.

Using this approach can avoid many traps such as impulsive decision-making, unnecessary risks, or spending time and effort on unavailable resources. Always ensuring that data is the primary reference term for decision-making.

3. Excellent communication skills

Communication skills are necessary skills for you to make any career successfully. Excellent communication skills will provide a better understanding of the current situation and will be able to communicate with the team in a more effective way.

Architects have to communicate with many people when creating products or looking for solutions, so mastering communication skills will bring great advantages. Although all forms of communication play an equally important role, verbal communication is the most efficient and clear way of expression. The best way to improve your communication skills is to talk to a lot of people and let them point out what can be improved and make improvements.

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4. Architecture tools of the modern enterprise

With the development of the industry, using modern tools is an effective way to really stay ahead in the competition. As an enterprise architect, you have to focus on the overall situation, but it usually makes you miss the subtle changes in technology. But it can guarantee your team to use the more advanced technology by using modern tools. After all, people with sharp axes can cut down more trees.

5. Keep up with the industry trend

It can provide you with technical and management advantages by making sure to always master the industry trends. If you find that the trend has changed, you can take measures to change the plan and the solution to make it the best even in a new market.

6. Continuous improvement

At last, continuous improvement is the only way to maintain skills relativity and grow into an enterprise architect. It includes keeping pace with technology, learning new skills at any time, and taking time to improve strategic skills.

Architects should be the master of specific development platforms, languages, and tools, giving the most appropriate solution to common application occasions, and also have enough understanding of their development team to evaluate the cost that their team needs to achieve specific functional needs. Becoming an enterprise architect is not easy, it requires rich experience and a thorough understanding of the market.

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