In Summary

Developing an enterprise architecture is a difficult task. It requires refinement of overlapping and conflicting requirements; invention of good abstractions from those requirements; formation of an efficient, cost-effective implementation; and ingenious solutions to isolated coding and abstraction evils. Additionally, enterprise architects must manage all this work up to a successful finish, all at the lowest possible cost in time and money. The only way this can be truly accomplished is by remaining agile.

In an agile approach, architects assume responsibilities beyond modeling and conceptual design. They must minimally serve as technical advisors to project managers. This is analogous to industrial engineers and their relationships to architects in the construction fields.

Many of the thoughts presented will assume an agile approach to explaining the solutions to the problems presented. An understanding of agile methods for software development will help readers become more successful in implementing practical enterprise architecture.