IT architects and IT-business alignment: a theoretical review

Abstract

The strategic significance of IT architecture has been recognized for decades. However, the roles of IT architects and their importance to IT-business alignment are still underrated in theory and practice. This article provides a literature review, classifies the roles of IT architects, and describes their influence on IT-business alignment. The main aims of IT architects are effective and efficient selection and integration of IT components/services to meet the business requirements by providing guidance and standards. Eight types of IT architects were found that perform at the strategy/business level and the project/solution level. Enterprise architects are essential for achieving IT-business alignment; they can shape an organization’s IT landscape towards business flexibility or standardization in order to differentiate on the market or lead on costs.

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