The Software Architect Elevator

About This Book

As the digital economy changes the rules of the game for traditional enterprises, the role of architects also fundamentally changes. Rather than focus on technical implementations alone, they must connect the organization’s penthouse, where the business strategy is set, with the technical engine room, where the enabling technologies are implemented. Only if both parts are connected can IT change its role from a cost center to a competitive digital advantage. Making this connection by walking from one organizational floor to the next won’t work. Instead, modern architects bypass existing structures by taking the fast track: the Architect Elevator.

This book helps (aspiring) architects embrace a new view of what it means to be an architect and equips them to ride the architect elevator across many levels, aligning organization and technology and effecting lasting change.

A Chief Architect’s Life: It’s Not That Lonely at the Top

A lot is expected from IT leaders and chief architects: they must maneuver in an organization in which IT is often still seen as a cost center, operations means “run” as opposed to “change,” and middle management has become cozy neither understanding the business strategy nor the underlying technology. All the while they are expected to stay up to date with the latest technology, manage vendors, translate buzzwords into a solid strategy, and recruit top talent. It’s no surprise, then, that senior software and IT architects have become some ...