Getting Started with Enterprise Architecture: A Practical and Pragmatic Approach to Learning the Basics of Enterprise Architecture

by Eric Jager

Implement a basic Enterprise Architecture from start to finish using a four stage wheel-based approach. Aided by real-world examples, this book shows what elements are needed for the initial implementation of a fundamental Enterprise Architecture.

The book's pragmatic approach keeps existing architecture frameworks and methodologies in mind while providing instructions that are readable and applicable to all. The Enterprise Architecture Implementation Wheel builds on the methodology of existing architecture frameworks and allows you to apply the theory more pragmatically and closer to the reality that an architect encounters in daily practice. 

While the main focus of the book is the actual steps taken to design an Enterprise Architecture, other important topics include architecture origin, definition, domains, visualization, and roles. Getting Started with Enterprise Architecture is the ideal handbook for the architect who is asked to implement an Enterprise Architecture in an existing organization.
 
You will:

• Identify a company's needs and develop an appropriate strategy to satisfy those needs
• Implement measurable goals and objectives for a baseline architecture
• Create meaningful catalogues, diagrams, and maps to communicate the architecture to an organization
• Measure the progress of implementing the architecture
 
Who this book is for:
Novice (Enterprise) Architects, project managers and executives.

275 pages, Paperback

Published December 2, 2023

About the author

Eric Jager is the author of Getting Started with Enterprise Architecture and Mastering the TOGAF® Standard.

He is a Certified Master Architect in the field of Enterprise Architecture, TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Practitioner, Certified Business Architect® and ArchiMate® Practitioner. Eric is familiar with various architecture methodologies including the TOGAF Standard and the Zachman Framework™.

With over 18 years of experience practicing Enterprise Architecture and extensive knowledge of its development and application, Eric is considered a thought leader in the field. He has worked for many organizations ranging from government agencies to healthcare institutions.

Drawing from his years of practical experience, Eric created the Enterprise Architecture Implementation Wheel, a method for implementing Enterprise Architecture that can be used by novice and experienced architects alike.

Eric lectures on architecture at the Eindhoven University of Technology and speaks at various conferences and seminars. He focuses on the practical and pragmatic application of Enterprise Architecture and writes about his experiences on his blog.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very basic and bite sized, which aligns with the title Getting Started. There are repetitions on some part which can be annoying. Examples are easy to understand. Not a book that would provide detailed information on specific framework, but is my go-to book for thesis.

[Andrei Gavrila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very difficult to rate. There were parts I loved in this book, parts where I got severely bored.

In case you are wondering, I usually vote:
* 5 stars for books anyone, anywhere should read
* 4 stars for books that anyone interested in the topic should read
* 3 stars for books that might be a good read if you are interested in the topic

Pluses:
* the book is in general well well-written and more engaging than the typical enterprise architecture book
* I think it spends the right amount of time in the introduction/history/what EA is
* It has interesting chapters on roles, visualization and their importance
* It explains the Enterprise Architecture Implementation Wheel (created by the author) that is in my opinion better to understand and follow if you want to be more hands-on that the industry standards like TOGAF

Minuses:
* the use case at the end, while a great idea is too short, too simple, and lacks content to be engaging
* chapter 8 is 70% of the book and it is what you would typically find in EA books which is an artifact, heavy documentation, matrixes, process focus, waterfall information chapter. While the book speaks about this "it is this sequence that manifests itself differently in practice than in theory." It fails to live it and explain it.
* it suffers from the EA biggest weakness. It rarely speaks about client and the value created.

I am not disappointed, it was not a waste of my time but I would love to see someone write a better book on enterprise architecture. One that would live up to the age in which we are, one that I would be excited to speak about to startups, scaleups, mid and large enterprise. One that would speak about how all this help create customer value. One that would integrate iterations. One that would drop this artifact/documentation orientation. As it is, the book today will probably speak to large enterprise audiences that thrive in the swamp of differences between strategy, goal, objectives, initiatives, goal/objective matrixes, etc.

[Ton Eusterbrock · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing new in this book about Enterprise Architecture (EA); it describes what EA is based on TOGAF and BIZBOK but only scratching the surface. I miss references to insights from articles and good research papers.

There are better books. But I am still waiting the ultimate book on EA to use in a Mastercourse on EA.

[Yeero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good books to get some practical view before reading TOGAF standard

Good start to get view on what EA is and how to approach it, practical examples could bo more detailed in the last chapter

[Stefan Lecho · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for everyone starting our already doing enterprise architecture. The EA Wheel is an interesting and useful concept.