Enterprise Architecture: Looking at 2024 and Beyond

As a long-practicing enterprise architect looking towards the profession's future, it's evident that the role is evolving rapidly, influenced by several key trends and technological advancements. One of the most significant drivers of change is the increasing adoption of cloud computing and the shift towards cloud-native architectures. According to Gartner, by 2025, over 85% of organizations will embrace a cloud-first principle, and 95% of new digital workloads will be deployed on cloud-native platforms, up from 30% in 2021 (Gartner, 2021[1]). This shift demands enterprise architects to be proficient in cloud technologies and adept at integrating and managing multi-cloud and hybrid environments.

[1] https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-11-10-gartner-says-cloud-will-be-the-centerpiece-of-new-digital-experiences 

Another pivotal trend shaping the future of enterprise architecture is the growing emphasis on data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). McKinsey & Company expects AI to create up to $2.6 trillion in value in marketing and sales and up to $2 trillion in supply chain management and manufacturing (McKinsey, 2021). This surge in AI-driven solutions necessitates enterprise architects to focus on building architectures that support data-intensive and AI-powered applications. They must ensure that the architecture is scalable, secure, and capable of handling the complexities of advanced analytics. Furthermore, with the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing, enterprise architects must account for designs that accommodate the ability to process and analyze data closer to the source, enabling real-time decision-making and enhanced user experiences. The role of the enterprise architect is thus evolving into one that is more dynamic, requiring continuous learning and adaptation to the latest technological trends and business needs.

Nash Squared (Nash Squared, DLR 2023[2])has several notable observations, as budget growth expectations have notably decreased compared to last year, signaling a shift from the hyper-growth experienced during and after the pandemic towards more normalized levels. Almost half of digital leaders anticipate an increase in their technology budgets over the next 12 months, aligning with pre-pandemic trends. Concurrently, the focus has shifted from expanding headcount to enhancing the effectiveness of existing teams, with a less intense skills shortage than before. This year, expectations for headcount growth have realigned with the trends observed in the decade before the pandemic. The most in-demand skills now include data engineers, enterprise architects, software engineers, and technical architects.

In conclusion, the enterprise architecture landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the rapid adoption of cloud computing, AI, and data analytics. As organizations navigate post-pandemic normalization, the role of enterprise architects becomes increasingly crucial in steering these technological shifts. The changing budgetary trends and headcount growth expectations, as observed by Nash Squared, reflect a strategic realignment towards optimizing existing resources and focusing on key skill areas. Enterprise architects are now at the forefront of this evolution, tasked with designing robust, scalable, and future-oriented architectures. Their ability to adapt and innovate in response to these emerging trends will be paramount in shaping the success of organizations in the digital era, making continuous learning and skill development essential components of their professional journey.

[1] https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-11-10-gartner-says-cloud-will-be-the-centerpiece-of-new-digital-experiences

[2] https://www.nashsquared.com