What Does a Business Architect Do

About the Business Architect Profession

A Business Architect is a specialist who is involved in developing and optimizing business architecture, ensuring its alignment with a company's strategic goals.

A business architect focuses on creating target business elements with subsequent translation to the operational level, working hand-in-hand with an Enterprise Architect, who is responsible for translating strategy into IT architecture.

The role of a business architect can be compared to that of urban planners, whose task is to see the city as a whole and provide principles, norms, methods, and roadmaps that allow the city to manage its development while maintaining and improving the quality of life of its residents.

The history of the business architect profession began with the development of information technology and the increasing volume of data that companies started using for decision-making.

In the 1980s, with the emergence of process management and automation concepts, there was a need for specialists capable of integrating processes into a cohesive system. Since then, the business architect profession has significantly transformed due to the gradual emergence and separation of knowledge areas.

In the current context, a business architect combines the professions of a business consultant and a business analyst, and is more of an expert than a typical administrative manager.

A business architect plays an important role in a company's development, ensuring its ability to adapt to rapidly changing external conditions. Understanding this profession and its significance helps organizations stay at the forefront of their industry, develop effectively, and improve their functioning.

To learn about the features of this promising profession, deepen your knowledge in business analysis and business architecture, and find valuable recommendations for applying the acquired information in practice, join my YouTube & Telegram channels.

Below is a general summary of a business architect's profile, the composition of which will depend on the needs of a specific organization. There is also a relevant professional standard with a detailed description of qualifications and functions performed.

About the Business Architect Profession

A Business Architect is a specialist who is involved in developing and optimizing business architecture, ensuring its alignment with a company's strategic goals.

A business architect focuses on creating target business elements with subsequent translation to the operational level, working hand-in-hand with an Enterprise Architect, who is responsible for translating strategy into IT architecture.

The role of a business architect can be compared to that of urban planners, whose task is to see the city as a whole and provide principles, norms, methods, and roadmaps that allow the city to manage its development while maintaining and improving the quality of life of its residents.

The history of the business architect profession began with the development of information technology and the increasing volume of data that companies started using for decision-making.

In the 1980s, with the emergence of process management and automation concepts, there was a need for specialists capable of integrating processes into a cohesive system. Since then, the business architect profession has significantly transformed due to the gradual emergence and separation of knowledge areas.

In the current context, a business architect combines the professions of a business consultant and a business analyst, and is more of an expert than a typical administrative manager.

A business architect plays an important role in a company's development, ensuring its ability to adapt to rapidly changing external conditions. Understanding this profession and its significance helps organizations stay at the forefront of their industry, develop effectively, and improve their functioning.

To learn about the features of this promising profession, deepen your knowledge in business analysis and business architecture, and find valuable recommendations for applying the acquired information in practice, join my YouTube & Telegram channels.

Below is a general summary of a business architect's profile, the composition of which will depend on the needs of a specific organization. There is also a relevant professional standard with a detailed description of qualifications and functions performed.

Business Architect Skills

Here is a list of essential hard skills for a business architect, necessary for effective work:

• Methodologies: TOGAF, Zachman Framework.

• Modeling Notations: ArchiMate, UML, BPMN.

• Bodies of Knowledge: BIZBOK, BABOK, BPM CBOK, PMBOK.

• Modeling Software: Business Studio, Archi, ARIS, and similar tools.

Business Architect Qualities

Here is a list of essential soft skills for a business architect, important for successful work:

• Leadership, ability to engage and lead people.

• Communication and diplomacy.

• Ability to manage relationships.

• Ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms.

• Systemic and innovative thinking.

• Ability to work in a team.

• Developed emotional intelligence.

Business Architect Competencies

To successfully fulfill their responsibilities, a business architect must possess the following key skills and knowledge:

Methodological Expertise

• Proficiency in modern approaches to business architecture design and modeling.

• Professional use of BPM (Business Process Management) tools.

• Experience in creating and implementing complex architectural solutions.

Technical Competence

• Practical application of business architecture visualization tools.

• Implementation of digital transformation and automation projects.

• Development of technical documentation (models, process maps, regulations).

• Integration of business requirements with IT solutions.

• Understanding of hardware, software applications, and systems engineering.

Analytical Skills

• Conducting comprehensive analysis of existing management systems.

• Identifying problem areas and growth opportunities.

• Working with big data for management decision-making.

• Developing strategies for business process optimization.

Management Competencies

• Successful experience in implementing organizational changes (Change Management).

• Conducting training programs for employees.

• Effective communication at all organizational levels.

• Ability to negotiate and persuade.

• Parallel management of multiple projects.

Strategic Thinking

• Understanding the interrelationship between business processes and company strategic goals.

• Ability to work in conditions of uncertainty.

• Skills in making informed decisions in a dynamic environment.

• Focus on increasing efficiency and reducing costs.

Additionally, it will be useful for a business architect to know how to create business cases, develop benefit profiles, and propose compelling propositions.

Functions and Tasks of a Business Architect

The main goal of a business architect is to create and transform the structure and composition of a company's components.

The list of functions performed and tasks solved by a business architect may include:

• Developing architectural solutions by creating effective management models, structuring the organization, and forming strategies for achieving strategic goals.

• Developing strategic initiatives in long-term planning, including digital transformation projects and the implementation of innovative solutions.

• Managing organizational changes by supporting employees during transformation, conducting training programs, and providing support during the implementation of new processes and systems.

• Comprehensive analysis of existing management systems to identify problem areas and potential for improving business processes.

• Business process reengineering with a focus on increasing operational efficiency, optimizing costs, and improving the quality of services provided.

• Integration of business and IT functions by coordinating interaction between departments for the successful implementation of technological initiatives aimed at achieving business goals.

• Systematic documentation of business architecture by creating and updating detailed process diagrams, regulations, and corporate standards.

Responsibilities of a Business Architect

The main job responsibilities of a business architect include:

• Designing enterprise architecture – creating a comprehensive model of the organization, including detailed analysis, documentation, and visual modeling of all key business elements of the company.

• Strategic transformation planning – developing and implementing comprehensive programs for optimizing business processes, aimed at transforming the organizational structure and increasing operational efficiency.

• Integration management – coordinating interaction between business units and IT departments to ensure alignment of the company's strategic goals, business processes, and information technologies.

• Implementation of development projects – launching and supporting initiatives to improve business processes, implement solutions, and enhance the organization's operational efficiency.

• Risk and change management – conducting a comprehensive assessment of potential risks, developing measures to minimize them, and ensuring effective implementation of organizational changes, considering all possible consequences.

The Role of a Business Architect for a Company

A business architect acts as a liaison between management, IT specialists, and other departments of the company. They coordinate the team's efforts aimed at achieving common goals and help implement changes that contribute to the company's development.

This specialist helps the company effectively utilize its resources and achieve strategic goals. They are responsible for creating a sustainable and flexible enterprise architecture capable of rapidly adapting to changes and ensuring the achievement of goals.

Great theoretical architects may not command authority within an organization if they cannot establish contact with senior management.

Conversely, an experienced, results-oriented, business-savvy professional with communication authority does not necessarily need deep technical knowledge to be an influential player – a good understanding of technology, its capabilities, limitations, and pitfalls is sufficient.

Summary

A business architect is a key figure in a modern organization, combining a complex set of technical, analytical, and management competencies. A professional in this field must possess a deep understanding of business architecture modeling methodologies, technical expertise, and well-developed analytical abilities.

Management competencies and strategic thinking are of particular importance, allowing for effective coordination of various departments and ensuring the transformation of the organization.

A business architect is primarily a strategic partner who assists both management and employees by translating business strategies to the operational level, enabling the company to adapt to changes, minimize risks, and improve efficiency.