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map showing practitioner's journey highlighting begin the journey

Practitioner: Begin The Journey

Summary
Whether you are transitioning into the business architect role, ready to take your business architecture career to the next level, or are a fully seasoned business architecture expert, we are delighted you’re here. The business architecture journey is an exciting and rewarding one – practiced by an impressive community of professionals who seek to make a difference in their organizations and the world.

If you’re new to it, the whole topic of business architecture can seem a bit overwhelming, but the Practitioner Learning Pathway will break it down for you one step at a time. We will try to get you over the learning curve as quickly as possible, because we know that ultimately your goal as a business architecture practitioner is to deliver real business value and outcomes. On the other hand, if you’re already in the business architecture world, you can skim across the learning pathway for new ideas and insights to inform your thinking and keep up with the latest in global thought. You may also want to focus on the later steps in the learning path for considering career path options, collaborating with others and giving back.

The Practitioner Learning Pathway begins with Steps 1, 2 and 3 which provide a critical foundation for your career and success as a business architecture practitioner. Consider performing Steps 1 and 2 in parallel, and potentially even Step 3 if you are already in the role. In Steps 4 and 5, you become an experienced practitioner and deliver tremendous strategic value to your organization while also shifting mindsets and ways of working over time. Once you’ve achieved a level of competence and success in the role, you can consider career path options in Step 6. Steps 7 and 8, which are about collaborating with and giving back to others. This is a great way to advance and bring meaning to your career – and you can start doing so now even if you are not a seasoned expert .

Depending on your situation, your journey as a practitioner may coincide with the journey of your organization’s business practice. If so, refer to the Practice Learning Pathway for other activities and resources within the broader context, especially during Steps 1 through 4.

1 Learn & Certify

In Step 1, gain breadth and depth in understanding all-things business architecture, such as what it is and is not, how it delivers value, how business architecture is strategically positioned within an organization, and how it relates to other functions and disciplines within an enterprise context. Also, gain an in-depth understanding of the business architecture body of knowledge (BIZBOK® Guide) and attain level 1 Certified Business Architect® certification.

RESOURCES TO EXPLORE AND ACTIONS TO TAKE

(1) Start your business architecture learning journey

(2) Build a foundational understanding of business architecture and its strategic practice

(3) Start developing your practical knowledge of and experience with business architecture and its application and build your community

(4) Gain an in-depth understanding of the body of knowledge (BIZBOK® Guide) 

(5) Attain your Certified Business Architect® (CBA®) certification

(6) Keep Immersing in your business architecture learning journey (ongoing)

Here are some key resources that you may want to put on the top of your list to explore, but follow your interest and passion!  

PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT YOUR JOURNEY
  • Business Architecture Essentials Masterclass – A complimentary 5-hour course that provides a comprehensive overview of business architecture and its strategic practice. Make sure to request your certificate when complete.
  • Inner Circle – A 12-month immersive group coaching experience across all business architecture topics.  An invitation to the exclusive Inner Circle Alumni Mastermind follows successful completion.
  • BAA’s Business Architecture BootcampTM – A 5-day immersion in business architecture, based on the BIZBOK® Guide. Provides an excellent foundation to prepare for the Certified Business Architect® exam.

 

2 See It In Action

In Step 2, delve further to explore the potential value and usage scenarios for business architecture as well as see how other organizations are leveraging it. Also explore related integration points with other disciplines and teams.

RESOURCES TO EXPLORE AND ACTIONS TO TAKE
  • Visit our Resource Library  to explore the list of business architecture usage scenarios. Simply filter by the Usage category. Also, filter by Alignment category to explore the connections to related disciplines and teams.
  • Attend the annual Guild Business Architecture Innovation Summit (held every March) and the annual TCBAF Business Architecture Summit (held every December). These events showcase how organizations have leveraged business architecture to create value and provide an opportunity to connect with other practitioners. 
PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT YOUR JOURNEY
  • Inner Circle – A 12-month immersive group coaching experience across all business architecture topics.  An invitation to the exclusive Inner Circle Alumni Mastermind follows successful completion.

 

3 Perform The Role

In Step 3, step into the business architect role and start practicing business architecture, either formally or informally, to gain experience in building business architecture and applying it to business usage scenarios to deliver value.

RESOURCES TO EXPLORE AND ACTIONS TO TAKE
  • Explore opportunities within your organization. If your organization has a business architecture practice, seek ways to join or collaborate with the team. Attend your organization’s business architecture community of practice meetings, if available. If your organization does not yet have a business architecture practice, begin applying the techniques and principles within your work and area of responsibility. Consider initiating efforts to establish a practice within your organization.
  • Leverage these resources to guide you on the role and competencies of a business architect: 
  • Leverage these resources to guide you on how to build a business architecture baseline (capabilities, value streams, and information concepts):
  • Leverage these resources to guide you on how to socialize business architecture:
PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT YOUR JOURNEY
  • Inner Circle – A 12-month immersive group coaching experience across all business architecture topics.  An invitation to the exclusive Inner Circle Alumni Mastermind follows successful completion.

 

Up next: Apply The Discipline