Role of 'Information Architect' in an Enterprise

[Jobs and Career for Information Architect]

Gartner defines "enterprise information architecture" as that part of the enterprise architecture process that describes — through a set of requirements, principles and models — the current state, future state, and guidance necessary to flexibly share and exchange information assets to achieve effective enterprise change. Also called EIA - Enterprise information Architect.

The transition from information that is isolated within applications to a flexible, comprehensive enterprise information architecture will require changes in technology, process, organizational structure and orientation.
In particular, EA practitioners comfortable with technical architecture must now devote time to understanding this emerging discipline. 

Gartner projects that, EA teams will be forced by the business to spend as much time on information
architecture as they currently spend on technical architecture. Changes will also impact a range of disciplines across the organization and will require coordination to drive efficiencies and achieve objectives.

Roles that will participate in the organization's desire to maximize the value and effectiveness of
information assets include:

1. Architects (including solution architects)
2. Application designers
3. Data modelers
4. Database administrators
5. Business intelligence specialists
6. Master data management specialists
7. Data quality specialists
8. Data integration specialists
9. Metadata management specialists
10. Business analysts
11. Content management specialists
12. Professionals in security, compliance, privacy and related disciplines

Some of these roles will be done concurrently, depending on the size of the teams, the rules of
engagement (that is, "who does what at which point in the activity cycle"), the depth of domain
knowledge, and resource availability. Understanding the different roles impacted by EIA is a
critical first step.

The role of enterprise architects is to act as facilitator, planner, change agent, champion and coach during these activities (but never dictator). Their job is to advocate the adoption and assurance of all enterprise architecture deliverables. Enterprise architects should be well equipped  to handle this challenge, because of their strong relationships with the business and their strategic planning skills. However, some will need to retool their skills.

Those who step in, and step up, to develop an EIA will help their organizations deliver new enterprise capabilities