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Twenty years ago, Andrea Malick, director at Info-Tech Research Group, was asked by her company to set up an architecture review board. She ran into her office and used her computer to look up: what is enterprise architecture?
At the time, she told Reworked, there were frameworks in Australia with which to read and educate yourself, but there were no courses or communities of practice.
Today, enterprise architecture has become more mainstream. A 2022 survey of enterprise architecture professionals in Europe and the United States found that 70% of organizations have increased their investments in enterprise architecture, and 97% planned on more significant investment in the coming years.
Is an Enterprise Architecture Certification Worth It?
Enterprise architecture certifications have specific use cases where they make sense, according to Matt Ryan, CTO and co-founder of Kythera Labs.
“I look at the use case of somebody who’s maybe between assignments or looking to go from one field to another — this is where [certification] really shows that kind of initiative and that kind of desire to learn new things.”
Still, Ryan said he has a cavalier attitude toward certifications because he views job experience as more important. For someone who’s established, he explained, the industry will value that practical experience more than the certification.
“If somebody has a lot of that, and they’re not taking the time to get certifications, that’s where I’m not going to discount that at all. You don’t have to have all these badges when you have the real-life experience and self-learning things as you’ve gone on.”
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Top 7 Enterprise Architecture Certifications
For those specific cases where an enterprise architect certification makes sense, getting the most current education is key.
“The number of architects across the world is growing rapidly, and there are more opportunities than ever in universities and professional associations to build those skills,” said Malick. “We need those skills to be ready for the complex landscape of automation and artificial intelligence.”
Some of the most well-known certifications available for enterprise architects include:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- Axelos ITIL 4 Master certification
- CISSP Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP-ISSAP)
- The Open Group Certified Architect (Open CA)
- The Open Group TOGAF 9 Certification
- Professional Cloud Solutions Architect Certification
- Zachman Certified — Enterprise Architect
AWS Certified Solutions Architect
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect program is designed for those with some AWS experience. It validates one’s ability to design scalable, elastic, resilient and cost-efficient systems on AWS and covers broad knowledge of AWS services and the AWS Well-Architected Framework. This course is ideal for those with a background in on-premises IT who are transitioning to cloud technology.
You’ll learn:
- Knowledge and skills in compute, networking, storage and database AWS services.
- Knowledge and skills in using the AWS Management Console.
- Ability to identify which AWS services meet a given technical requirement.
Price: $150
Axelos ITIL 4 Master Certification
The ITIL 4 Master certification offers a flexible and comprehensive framework for managing IT-enabled services, tailored to both individual and organizational learning needs. It starts with the ITIL 4 Foundation, which provides essential knowledge for embedding ITIL practices in daily work, and extends through more specialized avenues like Managing Professional and Strategic Leader. Each certification level deepens understanding and skills in IT service management, aimed at improving IT operations and value creation in the digital era.
You’ll learn:
- Practical and technical knowledge about how to run successful IT enabled services, teams and workflows.
- How to address and harness the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies.
- How to conduct a full cost/benefit analysis identifying potential risks and opportunities.
Price: Varies
CISSP Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP-ISSAP)
The Information Systems Security Architecture Professional is an advanced credential for experienced enterprise architects, security architects and analysts. It guides expertise in designing, developing and analyzing security solutions and providing risk-based guidance to senior management.
You’ll learn:
- Architecture for governance, compliance and risk management.
- Security architecture modeling.
- Identity and access management architecture.
Price: $599
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The Open Group Certified Architect (Open CA)
The Open Certified Architect (Open CA) certification from The Open Group is a globally recognized, vendor-neutral credential that validates the skills, knowledge and experience of enterprise architects. It covers various specializations such as business, digital, enterprise and solution architect, each with three levels: Certified, Master Certified and Distinguished.
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You’ll learn:
- How to shape and foster enterprise transformation initiatives.
- How to design business processes to improve customer experience and increase profitability.
- How to connect an organization’s business mission, methodology and processes to its IT strategy and documentation.
Price: $1,100 for Level 1; $1,500 for Levels 2 and 3
The Open Group TOGAF 9 Certification
The TOGAF 9 certification by The Open Group is another well-known credential in enterprise architecture, offering a clear path for professional development. It is globally recognized and allows professionals to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the framework used by leading organizations to enhance business efficiency.
You’ll learn:
- The methodology and framework of TOGAF
- Effective use of the Architecture Development Method (ADM)
- How to improve business and IT alignment using TOGAF principles
Price: $360
Professional Cloud Solutions Architect Certification
The Professional Cloud Solutions Architect (PCSA) certification, offered by the Cloud Credential Council, equips professionals with the skills they need to architect and design solutions in cloud environments. The course covers key areas such as the history of cloud computing, its impact on IT architecture and cloud service management.
You’ll learn:
- The key engineering concepts of operating “as a service.”
- How to evaluate a Cloud Solution Architecture.
- How to migrate and transition to a cloud environment.
Price: $495 (for online self-study)
Zachman Certified Enterprise Architect
The Zachman Certified Enterprise Architect (ZCEA) course, offered by Zachman International, teaches the principles and application of the Zachman Framework for enterprise architecture. The course combines theoretical concepts with hands-on modeling practices, covering how to build and implement architectural models that enhance enterprise strategy and operations.
You’ll learn:
- Techniques for modeling and creating architectural representations across data, function, network, people, time and motivation.
- How to analyze and implement these models to align IT strategies with business objectives.
- Methods for improving system architecture using the Zachman Framework principles.
Price: $2,999
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Enterprise Architects: Certified or Not?
Whether or not you should get an enterprise architect certification boils down to where you are in your career and what you’re hoping to learn. For those who want to learn more about cloud computing or artificial intelligence, a certification might make sense.
However, certification is not the end-all-be-all in the enterprise architecture field.
“Many people can learn technology, but there will always be that distinct EA vision and drive for excellence that you don’t learn in any school,” said Malick.
