Enterprise Architecture has a reputation problem.

Not because it lacks rigor or structure — quite the opposite. But because too often, architecture feels like something that exists next to the organization rather than within it.

Diagrams live in tools, standards sit in documents, and architectural knowledge slowly fragments across folders, platforms, and people’s heads. It's kind of like an intangible scrapbook of past projects.

The Architecture Repository, as described in the TOGAF® Standard, is an attempt to fix that. Not by introducing yet another tool or database, but by introducing a way of thinking.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #Newsletter #TOGAF #ADM

https://eawheel.com/blog/2026/03/a-scrapbook-of-past-projects/

Embarking on a career in Enterprise Architecture can feel a bit like being handed a map of a city you’ve never visited, and being told that every street, alley, and café is critical. You're then asked to solve a mystery.

There’s a lot to take in: frameworks, models, technologies, stakeholders, business strategies, and a universe of acronyms that seem to multiply when you’re not looking...

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #Newsletter #TOGAF #DigitalTransformation

https://eawheel.com/blog/2026/02/starting-your-career-in-ea/

Enterprise Architecture has been around for decades. The discipline has profoundly shaped how organizations plan, align, and structure their strategies, systems, and operations.

Frameworks such as the TOGAF Standard define four architecture domains — business, data, application, and technology — and link them to specific architectural roles.

While this approach has helped organizations organize work, it has also unintentionally reinforced rigid silos and limited the true potential of architecture as a holistic organizational capability.

It's time for a more modern approach.

This approach should consider the architecture beyond domains. Instead of 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴, it should 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #Newsletter #OpenGroup #TOGAF

https://eawheel.com/blog/2026/01/architecture-beyond-domains/

In last month's blog, I began explaining the Risk Management technique, which is part of the Architecture Development Method (ADM) of The Open Group's TOGAF Standard.

This blog post builds on the previous one and details how to perform an 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺, and 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #Newsletter #RiskManagement #OpenGroup #TOGAF

https://eawheel.com/blog/2025/11/risk-management-2-2/

The Architecture Development Method (ADM) of the The Open Group's TOGAF Standard describes a number of techniques an architecture practitioner has at his disposal.

Since Risk Management is addressed in several phases (A and E through H), it can be seen as an integral part of architecture development.

Applying Risk Management techniques ensures that risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated as part of the architecture development process.

In this blog, I zoom in on the Risk Management technique. This is a two-part blog. The second part will be published next month.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #Newsletter #RiskManagement #OpenGroup #TOGAF

https://eawheel.com/blog/2025/10/risk-management-1-2/

Artificial Intelligence is often portrayed as a disruptive force — one that demands new methods, tools, and frameworks.

But in practice, #AI doesn't replace traditional architecture frameworks. Instead, it enhances them.

In this blog, I’ll explore how AI supports and strengthens each phase of the TOGAF Standard's #ADM. In other words: architecting with AI.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #Newsletter #ArtificialIntelligence #OpenGroup #TOGAF

https://eawheel.com/blog/2025/09/architecting-with-ai/

We stand atop the shoulders of giants when we gaze at the majestic ruins of the Parthenon or wander through the crisp geometry of a Doric temple.

It may not seem obvious at first, but the foundations of Enterprise Architecture are laid on the same principles that guided the stone masons of ancient Greece - balance, clarity, purpose, and adaptability.

The discipline of designing the shapes of complex systems, whether in IT ecosystems or on the Athenian Acropolis, shares a lineage of thought that transcends time.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #Newsletter #ADM #ArchiMate #Greece

https://eawheel.com/blog/2025/08/architecture-across-ages/

The words 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 often elicit a predictable reaction: a nod of polite acknowledgement, sometimes tinted by mild apprehension or indifference.

Somewhere along the line, it became something that busily hums behind the scenes, tucked away in senior briefing decks or internal frameworks, occasionally referenced but rarely felt at the grassroots.

Yet that quiet presence hides a paradox.

Enterprise Architecture is not an optional refinement — it is the missing puzzle piece that makes everything else fall into place.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #Newsletter #NotJustIT #Strategy #StrategyExecution #TOGAF

https://eawheel.com/blog/2025/07/ea-the-missing-puzzle-piece/

Getting certified is important. It is especially important from a personal perspective. Certifications demonstrate that you have the qualifications, skills, and knowledge necessary to perform your job well.

There is one downside to most certifications though. Since most certifications are knowledge-based, almost none of them will allow you to demonstrate your experience.

In this blog, we're going to look at the Open CA certification that The Open Group offers for the architecture profession.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #Newsletter #Certification #MasterArchitect #OpenCA #OpenGroup #Skills #TOGAF

https://eawheel.com/blog/2025/06/certified-experience/

I have said it before: the TOGAF Standard is awesome!

👉🏻 https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/05/the-togaf-standard-is-awesome/

If you make an effort to really understand the framework you will agree with me. Unfortunately, despite being around for thirty years, it is still often rigorously misunderstood and misinterpreted.

It's these misinterpretations that lead to the myths that circle the framework. That is why it is high time to start mythbusting the TOGAF Standard.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #Newsletter #Agile #BIZBOK #DigitalTransformation #OpenGroup #TOGAF #NotJustIT

https://eawheel.com/blog/2025/05/mythbusting-the-togaf-standard/

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intelligent Automation (IA) are two terms that have become ubiquitous in today's world.

Although they are often used interchangeably, they are distinct concepts, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Unfortunately, there is a growing tendency to use the term "AI" as a catch-all phrase that obscures the fact that we're not really doing AI...

What we are really using today is a practical application of IA.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #IntelligentAutomation #IA #Newsletter

https://eawheel.com/blog/2025/04/ai-more-buzzword-than-breakthrough/

Last November, I flew to #Beijing, China for the 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 hosted by The Open Group Asia-Pacific.

There, I had the opportunity to talk about the profession of Enterprise Architecture with a lot of interesting people.

In China, Enterprise Architecture is more than just a methodology—it's a strategic powerhouse driving alignment between business objectives and technology.

Enterprise Architecture has emerged as a critical enabler. The country's enterprises, ranging from state-owned giants to tech startups, are leveraging Enterprise Architecture to address unique challenges: scalability, digital transformation, and regulatory compliance. But why is Enterprise Architecture particularly relevant in China?

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #ADM #ArchiMate #BusinessAlignment #DigitalTransformation #NotJustIT #OpenGroup #Strategy #TOGAF #Newsletter

https://eawheel.com/blog/2025/03/enterprise-architecture-rises-in-the-east/

Skills are important to do any job well. But having the right competencies is just as crucial.

The key question is: which is preferred, a skilled architect or a competent one?

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #Competencies #NotJustIT #OpenGroup #Skills #Strategy #TOGAF #Newsletter

https://eawheel.com/blog/2025/02/skilled-or-competent/

When we think of Enterprise Architecture, we often imagine dynamic teams designing robust frameworks to steer organizations into the future.

But a quieter challenge looms: the profession itself is aging, and a younger generation is not stepping in to take the reins.

This trend, often referred to as the graying of architecture, threatens to disrupt the future of the field...

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#BusinessAlignment #DigitalTransformation #NotJustIT #Strategy #StrategyExecution #TOGAF #OpenGroup #EAStories #EAWheel

https://eawheel.com/blog/2025/01/the-graying-of-architecture/

In recent years, the agile way of working has become popular because it promises to make things more flexible, faster, and better at handling changes. However, when it comes to Enterprise Architecture, using agile methods can be tricky. It might lead up to agile architecture agony.

Agile methods are great for short, simple projects. But turning a company’s long-term plans into real actions is something else entirely.

This blog will explore how agile principles can be used in Enterprise Architecture, the potential problems, and how to manage these issues.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #EAWheel #Agile #BusinessAlignment #Principles #Strategy #TOGAF

https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/11/agile-architecture-agony/

In the fast-paced landscape of global trade, the Port of Rotterdam stands as a beacon of efficiency and innovation. Behind its towering cranes and bustling terminals lies a meticulously designed framework known as Enterprise Architecture (EA).

At the heart of the Port of Rotterdam's EA strategy is the use of container codes.

In this blog, we will explore how Rotterdam Port uses a globally scaled Enterprise Architecture.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #EAStories #EAWheel #Strategy #StrategyExecution #PortOfRotterdam

https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/10/globally-scaled-architecture/

Digital Transformation is a strategic endeavor. It involves a major change in the organizational culture, in its goals and objectives, its capabilities and business processes.

And yes, at the very end of the road also a change in the supporting IT systems. But Digital Transformation is not just about IT.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#Architecture #EA #EAStories #EAWheel #Strategy #StrategyExecution #DigitalTransformation #NotJustIT

https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/09/digital-transformation/

In the grand orchestration of an enterprise, there is an unseen maestro quietly pulling the strings, creating the harmony that transforms strategic vision into operational reality.

That maestro is the Enterprise Architect.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #Architecture #EA #EAStories #EAWheel #Strategy #StrategyExecution

https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/08/the-unseen-maestro/

Today we cannot avoid AI. We see it mushrooming everywhere. Every marginal result is eagerly shared on social media.

How great would it be if we could use AI to make our lives as architects easier?

Well, we can, thanks to AI-driven architecture.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #Architecture #EA #EAStories #EAWheel #TOGAF #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #ChatGPT #Strategy

https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/07/ai-driven-architecture/

The role of the Enterprise Architect is misplaced in many organizations. In nine out of ten cases, the Enterprise Architect is portrayed as an IT Architect. This misalignment has significant consequences for an organization.

To ensure that the role of the Enterprise Architect is not misplaced, it should be positioned high in the organizational hierarchy. The only right place in the organization for an Enterprise Architect is in a department that deals with strategy and management support.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #Architecture #Strategy #EAStories #NotJustIT

https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/06/the-misplaced-enterprise-architect/

We are probably all familiar with the TOGAF Standard. Or just TOGAF, for friends and foes.

It is an Enterprise Architecture #framework pur sang, allowing for all kinds of tailoring. This makes it an excellent framework for any #architecture implementation. In other words, the TOGAF Standard is awesome!

The 10th Edition was released two years ago by The Open Group. So, before commenting blindly on this post, read up on it. Then leave a comment, admitting you feel the same 😉.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #BusinessArchitecture #Architecture #Strategy #EA #EAStories #EAWheel #TOGAF #TheOpenGroup

https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/05/the-togaf-standard-is-awesome/

Architecture Roadmapping is an important part of Enterprise Architecture. The creation of a roadmap enables an organization to develop initiatives that are in line with defined goals and corresponding objectives. In effect, a roadmap represents the realization of the organization's strategy, visualized in concrete and defined steps.

A roadmap cannot be created without measurable goals and objectives. Only measurable goals and objectives can be translated into initiatives. The initiatives can then be plotted over time using Architecture Roadmapping.

For a practical and pragmatic approach to Architecture Roadmapping, please read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #BusinessArchitecture #Architecture #Strategy #StrategyManagement #StrategyExecution #BusinessAlignment #Goals #Objectives #Initiatives #Roadmap #EA #EAStories #EAWheel #TOGAF

https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/04/architecture-roadmapping/

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, it's not enough to have a great strategy. It is equally important to be able to execute it effectively. Being able to execute the organizational strategy creates business value. And that's where Enterprise Architecture comes in.

Strategy formulation addresses aspects of organizational motivation such as vision, mission, and goals. Strategy builds on an organization's drivers to provide an actionable path for achieving some or all of its goals.

So, how do we get to strategy execution?

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #BusinessArchitecture #Architecture #Strategy #StrategyManagement #StrategyExecution #BusinessAlignment #Goals #EA #EAStories #EAWheel

https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/03/strategy-execution/

Values are a core part of how an organization operates. Making architectural decisions based on these values creates a value-driven architecture.

Value-driven architecture is an approach to designing and implementing architectural solutions for systems and software that prioritizes delivering value to stakeholders. It places an emphasis on aligning architectural decisions with the goals and objectives of the business or organization.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #BusinessArchitecture #Architecture #Strategy #StrategyManagement #ValueDrivenArchitecture #CoreValues

https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/02/value-driven-architecture/

The winter of 2022-2023 was still in full swing and the evenings were long and dark. This turned out to be an excellent time to pick up the proverbial pen and start writing down my thoughts and ideas about the field I love and have been practicing for over 15 years: Enterprise Architecture.

Writing a book is not an easy task.

It was a daunting task to establish the bare essentials without undermining the theory of existing frameworks.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#Book #FirstTimeAuthor #GettingStartedWithEA #EAWheel #EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #BusinessArchitecture #TOGAF

https://eawheel.com/blog/2024/01/an-authors-journey/

In the dynamic world of business, organizations must continuously evolve and adapt to remain competitive. The strategic management of capabilities is crucial for achieving this.

Dynamic capabilities refer to an organization's ability to adapt, innovate, and change in response to rapidly changing external environments.

In this blog post, we delve into the concepts of dynamic capabilities from an architecture perspective.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #BusinessArchitecture #Architecture #Strategy #StrategyManagement #TOGAF #ADM #Agile #Capability

https://eawheel.com/blog/2023/11/dynamic-capabilities/

There is some form of hierarchy in every organization. And while many organizations try to make the distance between the layers of the organizational hierarchy as small as possible, few really succeed.

Nevertheless, hierarchy is simply necessary for good business.

Architecture hierarchy is just as necessary. The big difference is that architecture hierarchy is not so much about who is boss over who else, but more about interpreting who is responsible for what part of the Architecture.

For many organizations, this is uncharted territory.

You can read the entire blog post here.

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#EnterpriseArchitecture #Architecture #Hierarchy #Strategy #TOGAF

https://eawheel.com/blog/2023/10/organizational-architecture-hierarchy/

What would happen if AI decided on ArchiMate elements; on the colors and icons (or symbols) of the modeling language?

Read my latest blog here.

#ArchiMate #ChatGPT #Architecture #EnterpriseArchitecture #EA #EAWheel #Blog

https://eawheel.com/blog/2023/09/if-ai-decided-on-archimate-elements/

I recently had the honor of speaking with Whynde Kuehn, author of the book 'Strategy to Reality'.

I asked Whynde a few questions on a variety of topics, including

- What topic within the context of Business Architecture is still insufficiently highlighted

- Why an organisation should spend time, money a attention on Business Architecture

- What prompted her to write her book Strategy to Reality

Whynde, being a long-time Business Architecture practitioner, thought leader, educator, advocate, and community builder, agreed instantly to my request for the interview.

I have split up the interview into two parts. You can find the second part here.

#ArchitecturalThinking #BusinessAlignment #EnterpriseArchitecture #StrategyExecution #Strategy #StrategyToReality #BusinessArchitecture #Architecture

https://eawheel.com/blog/2023/08/interview-with-whynde-kuehn-strategy-to-reality-2-2/

I recently had the honor of speaking with Whynde Kuehn, author of the book 'Strategy to Reality'.

I asked Whynde a few questions on a variety of topics, including

- Her perception of the mis-positioning of the discipline (still seen as an IT capability)

- The changing roles of the Chief Architect, Enterprise Architect and Business Architect

- Strategy belonging to which discipline (Business or Enterprise Architecture)

- The projected growth of the profession

Whynde, being a long-time Business Architecture practitioner, thought leader, educator, advocate, and community builder, agreed instantly to my request for the interview.

I have split up the interview into two parts. You can find the first part here.

#ArchitecturalThinking #BusinessAlignment #EnterpriseArchitecture #StrategyExecution #Strategy #StrategyToReality #BusinessArchitecture #Architecture

https://eawheel.com/blog/2023/07/interview-with-whynde-kuehn-strategy-to-reality-1-2/

There are still many misunderstandings when it comes to Enterprise Architecture. Yes, IT is an important stakeholder in enterprise architecture, but it is by no means the only one.

Enterprise Architecture should involve all parts of an organization, from finance to operations to marketing.

It involves developing a comprehensive understanding of an organization's people, processes, information and technology, and using that understanding to drive strategic decision-making.

Read the entire article here.

#EnterpriseArchitecture #Architecture #Strategy #complexity

https://eawheel.com/blog/2023/06/the-misunderstandings-about-enterprise-architecture/

To emphasize that both concepts are very close to each other, I have mixed them up (like most people who work with these architectural concepts).

Of course, this is unnecessary, because both concepts differ from each other in more than one way.

Read the entire article here.

#EnterpriseArchitecture #BusinessArchitecture #Architecture #Definitions #BusinessProcess #Capability #ValueStream #SimilarYetDifferent #BIZBOK

https://eawheel.com/blog/2023/05/business-streams-and-value-processes/

Ask someone to describe an apple. In nine times out of ten, the person will come up with somthing that could just as easily refer to a cherry, or a grape. Granted, cherries and grapes are also fruit, but they are not apples.

Definitions actually really matter...

How remarkable, then, to find that the definition of Enteprise Architecture has multiple manifestations.

Read the entire article here.

#TheOpenGroup #TOGAF #ArchiMate #EnterpriseArchitecture #BusinessArchitecture #definitions #complexity #architecture

https://eawheel.com/blog/2023/04/the-many-definitions-of-enterprise-architecture/

One of the most common mistakes made when drafting architecture principles is thinking that as soon as a sentence is in the imperative, it is automatically a principle. We quickly pull out the infamous Post-Its (sticky notes) and sheets of brown paper and start jotting away on them.

We pat ourselves on the back thinking we've done a good job, when in fact, what we've created are not principles. They are, at best, (IT) requirements or even standards.

Writing a sentence in imperative does not make it a principle...

Read the entire article here.

#standards #requirements #Post-It #EnterpriseArchitecture #principles #BusinessArchitecture #architecture

https://eawheel.com/blog/2023/03/from-post-its-to-principles/