Recent Q&A on Enterprise Architecture

Here are my recent responses to questions on Enterprise Architecture asked by fellow EA's on Quora. Do keep the questions coming. I will try and respond here or on Quora or Linkedin Pulse. 

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Are EA tools really helpful in enterprise architecture?

An Enterprise Architect uses several tools including Word (for documentation), Document repositories (to store artifacts), Powerpoint, Visio etc to communicate visual viewpoints.

In some scenarios, EA tools are helpful too. Check out my earlier answer to “What are the best enterprise architecture design tools?”

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Do I have to build models in order to do Enterprise Architecture?

Modeling is one of the most effective ways of communicating architectures. Why? As the old adage goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. It is easy to visualize architecture models including integration between processes and platforms.

Enterprise Architects use several modes of communication including

• Verbal and nonverbal - in meetings, sessions and workshops
• Written - emails, memos, reference documents etc etc
• Formal Viewpoints, Whitepapers etc
• Blogs, wikis and other social media tools (internally in an organization and externally like this Quora post)

Models - including reference architectures certainly help in such communications.

So, back to your question: Do you have to build models in order to do Enterprise Architecture? You don’t always have to. However modelling skills are expected and effective in communicating your viewpoints.

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What recent technology trends are important to Enterprise Architecture?

Enterprise Architects continually scan the landscape for emerging trends in technology and business. Most of us review “lists” published by analysts and consultants (e.g Gartner's Special Report : 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2016,McKiney’s Ten IT-enabled business trends for the decade ahead , BCG’s Ten Trends That Are Reshaping the Retail Industry etc etc).

EA’s also try to contextualize the trends specific to their industry or vertical channels - e.g Retail, Finance, Insurance, Chemicals, Supply Chain, Digital etc).

Given this context, it won’t be fair for me to list “technology trends” here on Quora since such a list is bound to be outdated very soon. You should continue to scan the landscape and some of the references I have posted to formulate an opinion of your own.

Answers by  Mohan Babu K, Enterprise Architect for a global 1000 company.