architectbootcamp.com » architecture education

IT Architect Skill Training – Why Is It So Popular?

superfli — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:47:53 +0000

If you ask just about any IT Director, Manager, or even PM, they’ll tell you that Architects are amongst the toughest resources to find. I’ve experienced this so often either when helping clients build their teams, or when I’ve tried to build them myself. Architect Boot Camp training was

IT Architect Skills

superfli — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:48:24 +0000

Recently I was asked that if a person was already acting in the role of a software integrator, did they really need to learn how to be an Architect. The answer was a little bit complicated, but it was an emphatic “yes!” While the basis or core skills of a great IT architect does come from solid software integration knowledge and practice, the basic practices, approaches and thought processes as well as ways of thinking in the correct context is what is taught during an IT Architecture workshop. Various approaches and ways of thinking allows an IT Architect to get a new perspective of the various contexts they must review before choosing a solution or constructing an architecture. There are various thoughts on how one becomes an IT Architect, and granted there are so many ways to get here, the result is the same. In order to become good or even excellent, the Architect takes on a different mind set. There are various perspectives that are reviewed, and as well, various options with respect to ways about thinking about the issue, problem or opportunity are reviewed. The architect considers more than fitting two pieces of software together, and the approach learned in a workshop will take them through the business objectives and IT Enterprise objectives, through to the various decision making techniques and options for formulating a solution. Typically the instructions given to an integrator are taken after an architect has determined the best approach and seen best fit for the components that are selected. During these exercises, the architect takes on a different approach with respect to requirements analysis, solution review, as well as some softer skills to deal with the political and communication parts of the equation. Often integrators are given something very specific to be done, as well as a roadmap for doing so. The architect takes part or creates that roadmap, and many more variables are considered than may be actually visible to the integrator. Finally – there are various approaches that an architect learns to getting from A to B. They learn to view a solution from a multitude of angles, and those which will enable them to see their way to the minimal path of risk. In part, the approaches are part of the culture of the organization for which they must have an appreciation for, as well as a component of the overal IT & Business Strategies. Hopefully that sheds a bit of light on the benefits of learning to become an IT Architect, rather than skipping these important steps. For more information on training, see our site. Happy Architecting.

Enterprise IT Architecture Support or Sponsorship?

superfli — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:22:36 +0000

And What’s the Difference?

It’s been a long time since I wrote part 1, but I’ll try to get the next few parts out asap. If you recall, I was writing about the purpose and reasons for Enterprise Architecture. Along with planning and strategy, execution is critical. We must create and tailor

Information Architecture Gets Super-Sized

superfli — Wed, 31 May 2006 03:00:00 +0000

Hello, Long time no type -I’ve been really busy writing content for my latest courses and this came up during research. Each month I play a game – search Google for the keywords “Information Architecture” and see how many bogus links you find before you get to the real

IT Architecture Workshops – Picasso or Plumber?

superfli — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 00:19:00 +0000

I’ve been asked over and over how I became an I.T. Architect. I always hesitate, and say “well…” More often than not, I get into the long stories about my university degrees and my varying path in life and career. The short answer is “I changed careers multiple times within the field of I.T.”. The long answer is experience. The I.T. Architect is a technologist, a leader, a consultant, a strategist, a politician, a writer and an artist. Yes, I threw that last one in for humor, but I get countless “way to go Picasso” comments, when I’ve helped a client with a modeling conundrum, or even cleaned up after a whiteboard session and converted our thoughts into something readable, tangible and electronic. As a technologist, the architect must specialize in technology, information or applications if he or she is a domain architect “Data Architect, Information Architect, Technical Architect, Application Architect, Software Architect, etc.” I must understand the pertinent technologies, plus have an in-depth understanding of the entire domain. Learning the key issues around my domain and knowing the Best Practices and key standards, methods, processes and techniques key to being a good practitioner is also necessary. I consider all the matters at hand, and analyze the tradeoffs. I get to “play” by prototyping and experimenting with technologies, taking various system viewpoints when drawing up models and then testing them later with prototyping tools. I am fortunate enough to keep tabs on the “what’s new” in technology, and follow the trends and create roadmaps for the future. Mapping out where you want to go is always done in a more positive light than where you have been. As a not such an enjoyable task, the Architect must document and present their findings to incredibly critical groups of people. Everyone has an opinion, and at the end of the day, even with a little bickering and bantering, it’s all a good thing. I’ll take that over dead silence any day. I get to do the investigations, and create the future, so I must be tolerant of changing my work on an ongoing basis to accommodate the opinions of many, while maintaining my initial vision. Happy Architecting!

Strange Sightings at the Enterprise Architecture Conference

superfli — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 03:46:00 +0000

Boo! Did you survive the EAC? I am almost caught up on my sleep – just a two hour time change plus flight plus daylight savings time and I’ve turned into Rip Van Winkle. I’m sure I’ll be caught up by tomorrow, but still have

Message from Zachman — The Midas Touch

superfli — Fri, 28 Oct 2005 05:26:00 +0000

Here I am again, bleary eyes but wanting to share all from this year’s Fall EAC. I have so much to share, and tonight will just have to be a summary. I catch the red eye in 6 hours, and suitcases still have to be filled – you know the

Enterprise Architect Training – Let the Games Begin!

superfli — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 06:01:00 +0000

This week will be special – I get to spend a week with other architects at the DCI Enterprise Architecture Conference. Ok – I’m weird – I love to talk about this stuff, but this is like sending a Gambling Addict to a Casino – oh wait -that’s where I