What we will want from our enterprise architects in 2009

As observed in previous posts, employment prospects for enterprise architects remain bullish, since many organizations are challenged with integration and IT-business alignment.

Over at the Informatica Perspectives site, I posted a piece spotlighting the five key qualities to look for in an enterprise architect, circa 2009. Here they are -- note the emphasis on people skills:

1) Well-respected and influential

2) Able to emphasize methodology, modeling, and governance

3) Technologically and politically "neutral"

4) Articulate, persuasive, and a good salesperson

5) Enthusiastic

This list was based on observations from Scott Bittler and Ron Schmelzer on what makes a great EA professional.