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Business Architect

Architects translate visions into blueprints and plans. Business Architects do the same for organizations. As part of an organization’s leadership team, they help organizations clarify their vision and translate it into strategies, roadmaps, policies and standards that can be shared across the enterprise. Business Architects leverage their understanding of how an enterprise operates to create, improve and streamline business processes and functions to meet business goals.

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Architects translate visions into blueprints and plans. Business Architects do the same for organizations. As part of an organization’s leadership team, they help organizations clarify their vision and translate it into strategies, roadmaps, policies and standards that can be shared across the enterprise. Business Architects leverage their understanding of how an enterprise operates to create, improve and streamline business processes and functions to meet business goals.

A New Approach to Business Transformation

The role of a Business Architect is a relatively new concept that brings a fresh approach to business transformation. Business Architects work across the enterprise to connect technology with business and IT priorities. They work with leaders at all levels, from strategic planning through implementation.

What Does a Business Architect Do?

Business Architects move business concepts and strategies into the physical world. They help organizations define the vision, mission, and goals that drive business decisions. In particular, Business Architects:

  • Define business strategy
  • Craft business roadmaps
  • Identify business capabilities
  • Create business processes
  • Analyze business data
  • Map business processes
  • Design business architecture

Business Architects are responsible for ensuring that an organization’s business and IT initiatives are aligned with the organization’s overall business strategy. As such, Business Architects have a deep understanding of both business and IT principles and practices.

How Do I Become a Business Architect?

The most common path into business architecture is real-world experience. Most Business Architects begin their careers in another business discipline, such as IT, finance, operations or strategy. They may also come from an IT background, such as systems analysis, software development, or project management. In addition to their hands-on experience, Business Architects typically have a:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, computer science, engineering or a related field.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
  • Business Architecture certification, such as the TOGAF certification.
  • Experience in business process improvement or IT architecture.

Is Business Architecture Right for Me?

Business Architects are analytical, creative, and strategic thinkers who are passionate about business and technology. If you are interested in a career that allows you to make a real difference in an organization, Business Architecture may be the right path for you. With the right skills and training, you could take your business acumen and technology expertise to the next level and become a Business Architect.

Skills and Knowledge You’ll Gain From Online Courses

The online courses listed above can help you develop the following skills and knowledge, which can improve your chances of success as a Business Architect or an adjacent role:

  • Business Analysis
  • Agile Development
  • IT Architecture
  • Business Process Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Project Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Enterprise Architecture
  • TOGAF
  • BPMN

Online courses can provide you with a comprehensive overview of Business Architect concepts. They provide lectures, projects, assignments, quizzes, and exams that can potentially help you build a strong foundation in the field.

Can I Become a Business Architect with Online Courses Alone?

While online courses can provide a strong foundation in Business Architecture, they may not be sufficient to launch a successful career in the field. In addition to online courses, you will likely need real-world experience and a business architecture certification.

Conclusion

Business Architecture is a rewarding career that allows you to combine your understanding of business and technology to make a real difference in an organization. If you are interested in a career that offers opportunities for growth and innovation, Business Architecture may be the perfect choice for you.

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Salaries for Business Architect

City
Median
New York
$199,000
San Francisco
$170,000
Seattle
$142,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$199,000
San Francisco
$170,000
Seattle
$142,000
Austin
$206,000
Toronto
$120,000
London
£79,000
Paris
€73,000
Berlin
€96,000
Tel Aviv
₪395,000
Singapore
S$120,000
Beijing
¥244,000
Shanghai
¥680,000
Shenzhen
¥589,000
Bengalaru
₹2,012,000
Delhi
₹1,970,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to Business Architect

Take the first step.
We've curated eight courses to help you on your path to Business Architect. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
The latest edition of the foundational TOGAF® standard, outlining the framework, principles, and methods for enterprise architecture, essential for comprehensive understanding.
The official publication from The Open Group, containing the full TOGAF® 9.1 standard, essential for certification and deep understanding in TOGAF® 9.1.
Offers practical guidance on applying TOGAF® 9.1 in real-world enterprise architecture projects, with templates, exercises, and case studies; authored by an expert in the field who helped develop TOGAF® 9.1.
Provides a comprehensive guide for mastering TOGAF® 9.1, suitable for managers, architects, and consultants who need detailed understanding to excel in their roles.
Provides a comprehensive overview of enterprise architecture and its role in aligning business and IT strategy. It is written by one of the pioneers of enterprise architecture and is useful for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of this field. It is more comprehensive and technically detailed than some of the other books on this list.
Presents a comprehensive overview of business architecture, as well as a set of standardized business architecture processes. It is written by a leading expert in the field and includes practical advice and real-world examples. It is suitable for both business and IT professionals who want to learn more about business architecture.
Provides a practical guide to developing and implementing an enterprise architecture. It is suitable for both business and IT professionals who want to learn more about how to use enterprise architecture to improve their organizations. It includes case studies and other practical examples that can help the reader with real-world applications.
Provides a practical guide to using ArchiMate to develop business architecture models. It includes case studies and other practical examples that can help the reader with real-world applications. It is suitable for both business and IT professionals who want to learn more about business architecture modelling.
Officially published by The Open Group, demonstrating how TOGAF® 9.1 can deliver business value through enterprise architecture, aligning IT with strategic goals.
An official guide from The Open Group that provides an enterprise perspective on implementing TOGAF® 9.1, addressing governance, risk, compliance, and change management.
Provides an in-depth look at how to transform the design of business strategy into an operating model. Focusing on enterprise architecture, this book considers business organizations as systems and offers tips for improving the operational efficiency of these systems. It is appropriate for anyone who wants to learn more about how to implement and execute business architecture.
Focuses on the foundational concepts of enterprise architecture and how to use them to bridge the gap between business and technology. While it is more technically oriented than some of the other books on this list, it can be useful for those who want to pursue business architecture in this area.
Focuses on the importance of aligning business and IT strategy to ensure a successful business architecture implementation. It emphasizes how business architecture can empower organizations to adapt to changing business needs and improve overall performance. is suitable for business professionals, IT professionals, and students.
A concise and straightforward guide for quick reference on the TOGAF® Standard, its framework, and key concepts.
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