Agile Enterprise Architecture: The role of the architect

Are you overrunning your architectural runway? Many companies struggle with their ability to retain their architectural integrity when they transition to agile methods. Emergent Architecture (the other EA) can lead to cowboy coding and ad-hoc design decisions that emerge into a poor overall architecture.

Enterprise Architecture (EA) has been a tried and true approach to address these architectural needs throughout the organization, yet this approach often leads to a heavy-handed, document-rich, control-oriented culture lacking ability to keep pace with today's dynamic business environment.

Attempting to integrate an agile process with an Enterprise Architecture approach can be like mixing oil and water - they just don't work together. This session evaluates alternatives in balancing Agility and EA and proposes an architectural approach to build an Agile Enterprise Architecture into your organization.

This session begins with an evaluation of the strengths of Enterprise Architecture and Agility and various approaches in the industry today that are attempting to balance the two. Enterprise Architecture (EA) means more than technology - it includes business architecture, information architecture, operational architecture, organizational architecture, technical architecture and infrastructure architecture.

There are many EA models available today including the Zachmann Framework, McGovern/Stevens Model, and the Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA) framework just to name a few. Each of these frameworks provides a valuable perspective on EA, but all of them depend on your organization to execute them effectively and require adjustments to increase their agility.

We will look specifically at the architect's role in an agile process to retain application integrity and enable organizational agility to meet the changing business needs.

About Pete Behrens

Pete Behrens didn't set out to become a leadership expert. His professional journey began as an engineer, solving technical problems, but life had other plans. Over three decades, Pete has evolved from individual contributor to technical leader to business executive and organizational coach, learning that the most complex challenges aren't technical; they're human.

As Founder and CEO of Agile Leadership Journey, Pete has dedicated his career to helping leaders navigate uncertainty with courage and authenticity. He believes that leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about having the humility to ask better questions and the courage to step forward when the path isn't clear.

Pete’s debut book, “Into the Fog: Leadership Stories from the Edge of Uncertainty,” captures decades of leadership wisdom through compelling real-world stories. The book reveals how authentic leadership emerges not in moments of clarity, but in the uncertainty of everyday challenges–what Pete calls “the Fog.”

An influential speaker, Pete has shared his insights at various global conferences and hosts the Relearning Leadership™ podcast, where he engages with industry experts and leaders to explore the evolving landscape of leadership and organizational development.

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