A look at an enterprise architects journey beyond earning a TOGAF certification.
For many professionals working in the realm of enterprise architecture, the TOGAF certification acts as a critical marker of an individual’s expertise. TOGAF is among the most widely adopted enterprise architecture frameworks, so naturally it is one of the most in demand enterprise architecture certifications. Viewed by industry professionals as the pinnacle credential to attain.
Achieving the certification marks the culmination of years of experience, hard work and proof that you have taken the time to really learn TOGAF. After all, you had to pass two exams. You may even have gone as far as to invest in TOGAF training.
As a TOGAF certified enterprise architect, you unlock a range of benefits. You speak the same language as other members of your profession, sharing a common foundation of expertise. All the pain spent learning TOGAF’s glossary of terms actually has a use! The globally recognised credential also acts as mark of trust, proving you understand the architecture framework and its application within business. This trust extends to employers and clients who feel secure, knowing you are an enterprise architect with an established mark of expertise.
So you’re TOGAF certified, now what?
Attaining the TOGAF certification might be a focal point in your journey as an enterprise architect, but it is not the final destination. We’ve put together five markers to continue your journey as an enterprise architect, beyond becoming TOGAF certified.
Build your experience as an enterprise architect
Earning a certification will only take you so far. Employers and clients will always prioritise experience over certifications as part of the selection criteria for a project or position within an organisation. So build and vary your experience as an enterprise architect.
Whether that’s securing a position on a variety of EA projects, or building your exposure to the practice working in a team. As your experience increases, so too does your employability
Find a mentor or coach
Having a mentor or coach can pay dividends in all walks of life. Finding a senior enterprise architect is an excellent way to leverage their expertise, learn from their successes and failures and receive guidance to improve your knowledge. If you can’t find a mentor inside your organisation, there are always industry experts you can follow. Dana Gardner, Nick Malik and Tom Graves are all renowned professionals worth utilising as virtual mentors.
Read EA case studies
Reading through case studies is an excellent way of building your expertise in enterprise architecture . You can find examples of how frameworks have been applied in leading organisations, including their outcomes. The Open Group have collected a series of TOGAF related case studies which can act as an excellent starting point with the MOD, NATO and the Police all included.
Don’t just focus on the successes though, if you can dig out examples of unsuccessful framework application, you can learn equally as much from others failures.
Join an enterprise architecture community
Whether it be online, or in person, there exists 1000s of enterprise architecture communities. Becoming a member of The Open Group is an excellent starting point. You’ll gain access to a number of forums and work groups. Areas where you can network, gain knowledge and grow professionally while collaborating with fellow enterprise architects.
Regularly attend enterprise architecture events
There are numerous high profile events that run across the globe, throughout the year. This builds on the concept of joining a community to network with fellow professionals. However, the main driving force for attending an event is learning from the leading experts in the industry.
High profile events attract experts at the pinnacle of their field in enterprise architecture. Within a fast moving industry like EA, you can learn from these experts working on the cutting edge.
The Gartner Enterprise Architecture Summit 2016 and The Open Group London Event are two for the calendar.
Don’t stand still
The practice of enterprise architecture is in a constant state of evolutionary flux. If you’re not learning, then worse than standing still, you’re falling behind.
As mentioned earlier, whilst TOGAF certification is an important step in your career as an enterprise architect, you must move beyond certification. Much like the industry – and somewhat poetically the TOGAF framework – you must continue to evolve and improve, or risk being rendered obsolete. Good luck.
Author Bio:
Edward Jones is a Technical Writer for Firebrand Training, who offer TOGAF 9.1 training. Edward writes on a range of topics across enterprise architecture, project management and all things IT certification.
