Enterprise Architecture Schools of Thought: An Exploratory Study

With numerous enterprise architecture management (EAM) methodologies, frameworks, and tools, there are still no universally excepted standard on what Enterprise Architecture (EA) really means to practicing architects. Traditionally practitioners concentrated on specific aspects of EA, such as tools, repositories, components and frameworks. However, little attention was given to the architect, which completes this trio of system perspectives (people, process & technology). This paper reports on the research findings of a study that investigated diverse factors and attributes that affects the worldview and ultimately the school of thought of the practicing architect. The study used a literature analysis, an exploratory survey with practicing architect feedback and as contribution identified the dominant architect attributes that affects and influences the various schools of thought of architects. The findings may assist EA stakeholders concerned with having the right type of person acting as an architect fulfilling a specific architecture function within an EA team or EA practice.