IT ARCHITECTURE ROLES

Enterprise Architect vs. Solution Architect vs. Technical Architect

ENTERPRISE ARCHITECT (EA) SOLUTION ARCHITECT (SA) TECHNICAL ARCHITECT (TA) How to become a EA

• Learn the fundamentals of IT, business

operations, and software architecture

Technology Focus Technology Focus Technology Focus • Obtain a Bachelors/Masters degree,

Minor in Business Administration

• Earn certifications: i.e. TOGAF, FEAC,

Strategy Focus Strategy Focus Strategy Focus LeanIX Certified EA Practitioner

• Leverage managerial skills to lead,

advise, or collaborate with different
departments

Key Competencies Key Competencies Key Competencies • Find a mentor

Master of EA Frameworks (i.e. TOGAF, Zachman Framework) Coordinates ongoing activities High level of in-depth expertise (i.e. Python, Java)

Uncovers operational gaps Translates the design concept to IT operations Provides recommendations to address potential threats

Analyzes information through data models and architecture Defines a best-fit solution for existing problems Implements technical processes to roll out solutions
How to become a SA
diagrams
Ensures technological risks are accounted for and solutions Delivers fully functional products in a timely manner for the
Communicates the value of new IT strategies and keeps meet necessary requirements end user • Learn the fundamentals of software
stakeholders informed of ongoing initiatives architecture, computer science

• Obtain a Bachelors/Masters degree

• Acquire analytical skills to translate

Daily Use Cases Daily Use Cases Daily Use Cases
abstract problems into tangible items
that can be solved to drive business
outcomes

• Communicate initiatives in a way

that both business and technology
professionals can understand

• Find a mentor

Streamline the application Understand where data inter- Plan transformations on time Communicate how applications Realize a 360-degree view inside Create process for rapid
landscape for optimal per- dependencies live across the IT – whether it’s for your cloud support business capabilities DevOps containers to accelerate development, intelligent
formance. Decommission landscape. Identify and avoid migration, external audits, or from a position of functional fit, release cycles. personalization, and seamless
redundancies and save costs. tech risks. beyond. technical fit, and risk. exploration across all solutions.
How to become a TA

• Learn the fundamentals of software

development, computer science

• Obtain a Bachelors/Masters degree

Integration Between Enterprise and Solution Architecture Integration Between Solution and Technical Architecture

The work between EAs and SAs is like a link between technological vision and its effective implementation Technical Architects translate the proposed solution of the Solution Architects into • Gain an understanding of full-stack
through IT strategy. EAs focus more on the strategic portion, whereas SAs take specific problems and an integrated system and provide in-depth technological insight on matters like development for a broader knowledge
propose a solution to support the vision. hardware and software specifics. of technical operations

• Use interpersonal skills to work

alongside non-technical business
colleagues. Project manage workload
What Makes These Roles Critical to IT Operations?
of technical teams
All three positions define business goals and design an information technology roadmap. This roadmap creates a bridge between context and concept. Whether
an organization needs all three types of architects depends on the company size and the complexity of its infrastructure.
• Find a mentor

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