We asked a panel of professionals with a range of experience and seniority to give their experience and insights. The panellists are: G\u00fcliz Capar, Jeff Moore and Jill Chang.<\/p>\n
G\u00fcliz:<\/strong> \u201cEnterprise architects have become strategic thinkers.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was about modeling and design patterns and stable re-usable components.<\/p>\n \u201cOur concerns are now about managing the business efficiently, having the most sensible business capabilities, best of brand technology landscape, or providing a planning operating model for digital transformation of the enterprise.<\/p>\n \u201cEnterprise architects now require many more skills:\u00a0 strategy development, business administration, financial portfolio management, project management, product management, risk, governance.\u201d<\/p>\n Jill: <\/strong>\u201cI can see companies are using EA differently. It\u2019s not just one central EA team, but individual EAs embedded in each of the business functions and then collaborating under the one architecture team. It\u2019s a flexible approach developed for the companies\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n Jill:<\/strong> \u201cThe IT function has changed from being an operational role, to it\u2019s now part of the business strategy. That certainly impacts how the CIO role is evolving. Many CIOs now don\u2019t come from tech, they come from finance, marketing or the business side.<\/p>\n \u201cA recent survey of a technology leadership community gave the surprising finding that more than 70% of the IT leaders in this community did not come from a traditional IT or tech background.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeff:<\/strong> \u201cManaging a budget, and the balance sheet, is absolutely required at the executive level.\u201d<\/p>\n Jill<\/strong>: \u201cWhen I wonder what can I do further to have more impact. Not necessarily moving up, but having an impact on the organization. When I look at the skills I need, I think EAs have expertise, knowledge, analytic and structured thinking. However, when communicating to the business, sometimes you only have 5 minutes to explain, decide actions. You don\u2019t have time to explain 20-30 pages of diagrams or layers of analysis. It\u2019s how we prepare this information for different audiences and how we communicate this message. That\u2019s a very key and important skill.<\/p>\n \u201cCommunication is not necessarily just the language, but how we collaborate with stakeholders \u2013 applying different techniques to help them to engage.”<\/p>\n G\u00fcliz:<\/strong> \u201cEnterprise architects need to simplify the concepts. Because most of the time these methodologies and concepts are so abstract, we need to simplify the concepts and demonstrate real life solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n Jill:<\/strong> \u201cFor people who want to move in that direction and advance their career. What I think is useful is to have a wider exposure. Aim to move around in an organisation and pick up any knowledge or skills that you can. Operations, people management, all those skills are critical for senior leadership roles.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeff:<\/strong> \u201cI can give you my perspective from the banking industry. COVID has had a big impact on the role of CIO and how a CIO must lead. Communication, specifically communicating and leading virtually. Now, people are working at home, and to get those teams to mesh and build trust is a big change and a difficult thing. Leading by example and providing visibility day to day and doing this virtually is difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n G\u00fcliz:<\/strong> \u201cEA is a passion and a sign of methodological thinking. I was really passionate about connecting modeling, abstraction and methodological thinking with other corporate processes to find more genuine solutions for corporate problems.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think enterprise architects make quite impressive CIOs. Probably this comes from their experience along the way, seeing many different things and trying hard to generate value. Architecture skills can be a great insurance package for crossing the career chasm, it\u2019s great experience.\u201d<\/p>\nHow is the CIO role changing and what traits and skills will future CIOs need?<\/h2>\n
What are the most important enterprise architecture skillsets, traits or qualifications for moving from EA to a CIO or a CTO role?<\/h2>\n
How can Enterprise Architects communicate effectively?<\/h2>\n
Do enterprise architects want to become CIOs? How can they do this?<\/h2>\n
What role can Enterprise Architecture tools play in supporting Career Progress?<\/h2>\n