Why Enterprise Architecture?

As much as the video is clear, it is also clearly wrong and passively misleading (by omission).  The video talks only about technology, and Enterprise Architecture is NOT primarily about technology.  Sure technology is a PART of EA, but it is a small part.  This video talks about robustness, efficiency, complexity and solution architecture, which are concerns for IT architecture, but NOT enterprise architecture. 

Fantastic and precise explanation for what and why Enterprise Architecture required for any organization, i really liked the images used, +1 to the presentation.

II've adapted the description to make sure it is clear you can freely use this and what you  must do if you want to have your own adapted version (e.g. with your own company logo or narrative)

Great video!!! However I differ in positioning the Transition Architecture as being a PSA-deliverable.

In my opinion, PSA-activities are part of the architecture governance, (TOGAF phase E/F/G) aiming on and supporting achievement of (parts of) the next Transition Architecture.
PSA-results are early-project deliverables and as such project directives that are valid while a project is running.

A Transition Architecture is an architecture cycle deliverable, an overall goal as stepstone in achieving the Target Architecture.  Most likely the Target Architecture state is or will be the result of running one or more projects.

The Transition Architecture isn't a deliverable of the PSA-phase, its a preliminary. In TOGAF, the Transition Architecture is the cycle-result of phase B, C and D.

supereinfache Zusammenfassung - perfekt! Werde ich demnächst bei einen Studenten verwenden.

Great video. Who created the video and did the sketch work?

Excellent!

lala micheal

What you call "hair ball" architecture is often referred to as "spaghetti architecture" and it is driven from the more known term of "spaghetti code". Great video.

Solid video that I will share with my colleagues to explain why we must mature our Architecture governance.

I'm currently a first year Computer Science student, I've been doing some research on good career paths to follow in the IT world and I've been quite interested in this. How exactly can I become an Enterprise Architect? What exactly is the path I need to follow to pursue a career like this? Advise from anyone in the field Welcomed :)

I like this video, it gives us a view on EA from the viewpoint of non architects. It is all there, the perspective chosen is one most enterprise stakeholders will recognize. And is this not an important aspect of EA: communicate with views on the subject at hand in a way your stakeholders understand

I do agree on the comments EA is NOT mainly about IT and should focus on all aspects of the enterprise. I do also agree on the response that IT is an important part of an enterprise today and therefore IT must be part of EA.

I regret the video does not really explain EA should cover transformations from one perspective to an other (rows in the Zachman framework). This to ensure all stakeholders understand what, how, when, where, who and why from their perspective, aligned with the other perspectives. The viewpoint (or perspective) the video shows makes it look like EA is about IT architecture although if you look closely you see it mentions more then IT alone.

The Enterprise Architect must ensure enterprise strategies are developed into business concepts which in turn are developed into business logic (systems, not only IT systems), technology, tools and instantiation.
The other way around EA should help to change the current instantiation of the enterprise into a modified instantiation which solves actual problems AND fits in the remaining (unchanged) enterprise strategy, business concepts, systems, technology, and tools.

If you keep this in mind, this video gives a good overview which can be used to inform, convince, our stakeholders why EA is not optional and helps to create Business Value.

Subtitles in Dutch, German en English (perfect copy of audio) have been added.

A perfect introduction

Amazing presentation....

wow this video is great. you sum up pervect what EAM is about. Thank you

Hi everyone, i'm having a research about EA, there's a problem that I couldn't find any real example of EA in reality. Can you please help me out by naming some EA solutions ? and also some company/organizations using these solutions ? Thank you so much :)

Awesome...

This video is a good introduction BUT by the end it suggests an architect role ends when the "ideal future state" plan is created. It is misleading. Architect is involved from planning, designing, through the development process. Unless we assume waterfall approach, we know results & big risks of that approach.

I see it's a simple innovative entrance to EA there are many other elements like governance - reosurces - security - business processes ...etc but it still good entry to EA

I have no idea what he is talking about.

Nice Explanation for dummies ;) !

Excellent video!

Very well done video.

Which software used to create these kind of illustration videos , if any one can advise.

it's all just buzzwords

This is such a great video! I remembered it but couldn't find it for ages ...

Am an EA myself and this explains it so soundly and neatly - Great video!!!

What are all the properties of the enterprise IT infrastructure does enterprise IT architecture ensure?

Wish there were more women in the video!

Brilliant ! Thank you !!

Gerben is very creative.

Am I the only one that thinks this narrator sounds like the one that guides Stanley?

Best presentation on ea. Good job man👏👏

10/10 explanation and video. Thank you for sharing.

7 years after, this video is still relevant. I am using it in a lot of presentations, to evangelize end-users. Thanks a lot!

Just awesome! Enterprise architecture is much more than just IT. Its basically defining how the enterprise should function to be effective, Robust and flexible at the same time. Enterprise here mean Business/NGOs/Government/Group. In plain and layman terms, Enterprise Architecture is needed to translate human idea/s into reality in a systematic and time bound manner.

@Gerben Wierda, really appreciate the effort in making such a simple and straight forward video. Hats off to all the drawings and the person behind the drawings :)

The early part of the video is true. However, the conclusion that we need committee & bureucracy to solve this problem is very wrong.

you forced me to watch the video till the end
what magnificent presentation

Dear Friends,
I have read TOGAF v9.1, I have some questions to ask again so that I understand correctly and fully, the questions are as follows:
1/ The ABB (architecture building blocks) will be technology independent, right?, and it is used to describe Target models in Phase B,C,D?
2/ The SBB (Solution building blocks) is tied to specific technologies (eg Cloud, Microservices, etc.), right?, and it is used in Phase E?.
3/ The Technical reference model is used in Phase E, right?.

a great video for briefly introduction . look forward to more deep explanation.

Nice graphics!

well explained thanks

Brilliant video which helps when communicating with stakeholders so they quickly grasp why EA is a muss. Thanks for the great video.

these are cool graphics

Best EA video i have ever seen. Bravo

Still relevant and very usable to introduce colleagues (in and outside the IT domain) to EA and our purpose - in a short, neat and relatable way.
I'm going to use a screen grab to illustrate a point in one of our internal practical guideline documents.
Thank you again - and will check out your other videos (realized after reading the full description)

WRONG! Change the title to read "What is Architecture" NOT "Why Enterprise Architecture". You cover every type of architecture EXCEPT Enterprise Architecture. You should either change the title or take down the video.

To add to the now three-year-old comment below from @thomasdelquie6293 - I am still using this video to explain why EA is important in 2025.