Understanding Data Architecture

Someone asked me what at first sounded like a very straightforward question earlier this week; "what is Data Architecture" - or more precisely, what does it mean to you. Usually, I'm not usually at a loss for words when it comes to expounding upon IT Architecture related topics - but it occurred to me at that moment that my previous understanding of what Data Architecture really represents is or has been a little flawed or perhaps just outdated....

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The Value of Architecture Assessments

While many people are becoming somewhat familiar with IT or Enterprise Architecture, relatively few know much about Architecture Assessments. This is unfortunate given the significant value proposition such exercises provide. For example, had one or more Architecture Assessments been provided for Healthcare.gov during the course of the project; it is unlikely that the Obama administration would have been surprised by the current mess it's now facing. Problem...

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What Does an IT Architect Do?

This is an interesting question for anyone thinking about working as an Architect but also for anyone else working in IT because there isn't a consistent set of definitions regarding architects within the industry. Architects who do more or less the same things with the same skills could variously be referred to as: Enterprise Architects Solution Architects Project Architects IT Architects Technical Architects Data Architects Application Architects Business...

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