ENTERPRISE

ARCHITECTS

Bridging IT
& Business

Enterprise architects are more important than ever

and their role continues to grow in influence acting
as liaisons between technology-focused engineers and
developers, and todays business leaders.

INVOLVEMENT IN THE PURCHASE PROCESS:

83%

79%

of architects are involved

in determining technical
requirements for new IT
products and services.

of architects are involved

in evaluating products
and services.

The enterprise architect role today

is becoming more critical because
virtually every business project has
a core IT component and companies
need players involved that have
a big picture view.
JOHN DIX, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NETWORK WORLD

Involvement in Technology Purchases

AS THEY EXPLORE NEW SOLUTIONS
FOR THEIR ORGANIZATION

IN A TYPICAL WORK WEEK,

ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTS SPEND:

5.7 hours

meeting with current

technology vendors

Time spent meeting with vendors

not doing business with currently:

64%

3.7 hours

84%

meeting with technology

vendors they are not
currently doing business with

of enterprise architects say vendors need to

approach them with both the business and
tech benefits of the solution.

Traditional/established
vendors

36%

New/emerging
vendors or startups

Get to Know These Influencers

Most of the architects Ive come across have done development in the past, because you need to start out with
the very basics, doing the development, then working your way into design and analysis, on up into architecture.
ENTERPRISE ARCHITECT, TECHNOLOGY

RESPONSIBILITIES

Converting business strategies into IT strategies

TOP DESCRIPTIONS
OF THE ARCHITECT ROLE

82%

Providing solution architects or engineers with

roadmaps or specifications

73%

Assisting infrastructure in mapping their future

strategy to align with the rest of IT

72%

Enterprise Architect

51%

Infrastructure Architect

21%

Solution Architect

9%

Architect

9%

Senior Architect

6%

5 YEARS

AVERAGE LENGTH
OF EMPLOYMENT
IN CURRENT ROLE:

& 8 MONTHS

64%

AVERAGE
AGE

47 YEARS

PLAN TO REMAIN IN THEIR

CURRENT ROLE FOR THE
NEXT 12-24 MONTHS

Shaping IT and Business Strategies

... THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS

... THROUGH EDUCATION

85%

Enterprise Architects Report To:

24% IT Director
18% CIO or Top
IT Executive
18% CEO

0% EVP, SVP IT
1
7% CTO
7% VP IT
16% Other

of enterprise architects feel that educating

themselves about various siloed business
problems across the organization is an
important skill to succeed in their role.

AVERAGE TIME SPENT

SELF-EDUCATING EACH WEEK

Collaborate with High-Quality Peers:

59% IT Management
39% CIO or Top IT Executive
39% Solution/Application Architect
30% Technical Consultants

9 HOURS

Differences by Length of Time in Role

Under 3 years tenure

3 to <8 years

8+ years

10.5 HOURS

8.3 HOURS

7.7 HOURS

Interact with Individuals Outside of IT:

42% Line of Business Managers/Directors
33% Business Strategist
33% Product/Solution Managers or SMEs
24% VP/Director of Operations

85%

of enterprise architects agree that they

have cultivated strong relationships with
senior business stakeholders.

Top Advice or Information Sources

Strategic Challenge

Technical Challenge

Peers

52%

Tech Vendors

63%

Research

47%

Peers

47%

Tech Vendors

39%

Search Engines

42%

Events

39%

White Papers

31%

Opportunities to Connect with Enterprise Architects

Despite their high level of
collaboration with multiple levels
of colleagues, the opportunity
to get the information needed
to advance isnt always met ...

20%
have an
opportunity
to connect
with peers
in a similar
role

26%

have the ability

to obtain
information
relevant to their
role and unique
challenges

29%

have the ability

to obtain
information
relevant to
their specific
industry

SOURCE: NETWORK WORLD ENTERPRISE ARCHITECT PERSONA SURVEY, 2016

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

www.idgenterprise.com/contact-us
www.idgenterprise.com/research-reports
@idgenterprise