Ace the Enterprise Architect Interview: 5 Revealing Questions to Ask

In the realm of enterprise architecture, finding the right candidate can be a daunting task. As an enterprise architect, their decisions will shape the technological backbone of your organization, impacting millions of dollars in investments. To navigate this crucial hiring process, we’ve curated five insightful questions that will help you gauge a candidate’s expertise, experience, and thought processes.

1. How Long Have You Been an Architect?

Enterprise architecture is a multifaceted discipline that requires years of experience to master. While some prodigies may excel in a shorter timeframe, the general consensus is that it takes around five years of hands-on architectural design work to attain professional competency.

This question not only reveals the length of their experience but also provides insights into the breadth of their exposure. An architect who has worked on a single system for five years will have a different perspective compared to one who has designed architectures across various projects and stages of maturity.

2. How Many Architectures Have You Created?

Architects, like their counterparts in the building industry, often need multiple iterations to perfect their craft. Designing a successful enterprise architecture involves overcoming numerous technical, organizational, and budgetary challenges.

A good rule of thumb is to look for candidates who have architected at least four systems, with the last two having budgets similar to your organization’s expectations. This experience demonstrates their ability to navigate complex projects and mitigate risks effectively.

3. Describe Your Last Four Architectures

Diving deeper into their previous work, this question allows you to gauge a candidate’s awareness of the unique challenges inherent in enterprise architecture projects. Their description should encompass not just the technical hurdles but also the organizational dynamics and budgetary constraints they navigated.

A detailed response that covers various perspectives – technical, financial, and organizational – indicates a well-rounded understanding of the role. Conversely, a narrow focus on technical aspects may signal a more developer-centric mindset rather than an architectural one.

4. What Were Your Most and Least Successful Projects?

Success and failure are inevitable in the world of enterprise architecture. The true measure of an architect lies in their ability to learn from both outcomes. Candidates who can objectively discuss their successes and failures, acknowledging their role in each, and outline the lessons learned, demonstrate valuable professional wisdom.

Be wary of candidates who report nothing but success, as this could indicate a lack of humility, self-awareness, and the ability to grow from mistakes. Embracing failures is a crucial aspect of an architect’s growth and can significantly influence the odds of success in your organization.

5. What Architectures, Other Than Your Own, Do You Admire?

The enterprise architecture landscape is vast, with countless companies contributing ingenious systems and innovative ideas. A well-rounded architect should have a broad awareness of the work of others, beyond superficial catchphrases or cursory internet searches.

Candidates who can thoughtfully discuss architectures they admire and articulate their reasoning demonstrate an open-minded approach and a willingness to adopt best practices from others. This intellectual curiosity and respect for the work of peers often translate into architectures that benefit from diverse perspectives and cutting-edge ideas.

Conclusion

Hiring an enterprise architect is a significant investment, both financially and strategically. By incorporating these five questions into your interview process, you’ll gain valuable insights into a candidate’s depth of knowledge, practical experience, and professional mindset. Remember, the right enterprise architect can propel your organization’s technological capabilities to new heights, while the wrong hire can result in costly missteps. Take the time to ask the right questions, and you’ll be one step closer to finding the architectural mastermind your organization deserves.