8 Enterprise Architecture Books That Shape IT Strategy

Jeanne W. Ross, Peter Weill, and David C. Robertson bring decades of academic and practical experience to this examination of enterprise architecture's role in business execution. They argue that without a carefully designed IT infrastructure aligned with core business processes, even the strongest strategies falter. You’ll learn to identify and prioritize critical processes, develop an operating model, and implement IT systems that drive efficiency and agility. Chapters detail real-world examples that reveal how a well-crafted enterprise architecture can slash costs and accelerate time to market. This book suits executives and architects aiming to bridge strategy with operational reality, but it demands commitment to tough decision-making about business priorities.

Svyatoslav Kotusev brings a rare blend of academic rigor and industry experience to this detailed examination of enterprise architecture. Drawing on his background as a researcher and practitioner, he systematically unpacks the tangled relationship between business and IT, offering clear explanations of EA processes, roles, and artifacts. You gain insight into how to initiate and evolve an EA practice grounded in real-world best practices rather than trendy frameworks. The book’s structured approach guides you through complex concepts with clarity, making it especially useful if you want evidence-based strategies for aligning IT initiatives with business goals.

This tailored book explores enterprise architecture principles through a lens that matches your specific background and goals. It examines foundational concepts such as architecture frameworks, governance, and modeling techniques while weaving in advanced practices suited to your interests. By focusing on your unique context, it reveals how enterprise architecture can bridge business and IT in ways that resonate with your organization’s challenges and maturity level. The personalized content enables a deeper understanding of complex topics like capability mapping, technology planning, and stakeholder engagement, all tailored to enhance your mastery efficiently. This customized approach ensures you gain relevant insights without sifting through unrelated material, making learning both engaging and targeted.

Scott A. Bernard's decades of experience in enterprise architecture shine through in this fourth edition, which carefully bridges the gaps between strategy, business operations, and technology planning. You learn how to apply a holistic framework that addresses governance, implementation, and organizational restructuring, with concrete examples like a detailed case study and new chapters on solution architecture methods. This book is tailored for those navigating complex, siloed organizations or dynamic environments, especially executives and managers who need a clear, accessible approach without requiring prior EA knowledge. It’s a solid guide if you want to integrate architecture across your entire enterprise effectively.

Marc Lankhorst's decades of experience in enterprise architecture shine through in this detailed guide to the ArchiMate® 3.0 modeling language. You’ll learn how to build integrated architecture models that clarify complex relationships across business, application, and technology domains. The book goes beyond modeling by offering practical techniques for engaging stakeholders and evaluating architectural changes, including risk and capability analyses. Chapters on linking ArchiMate to other industry standards make it especially relevant for architects navigating real-world enterprise systems. If you're working in enterprise IT or management science, this book equips you with tools to assess and communicate architectural transitions effectively.

Unlike most enterprise architecture books that concentrate solely on technical frameworks, this work by Steven H. Spewak and colleagues introduces a methodical planning approach emphasizing data as the foundation before applications. Drawing from Spewak's extensive experience as Chief Architect at DHL Systems, the book guides you through defining a stable business model independent of organizational silos. You gain practical insights into sequencing application implementation based on data prioritization, supported by numerous examples, checklists, and procedures. This approach benefits IT strategists and architects aiming for cost-effective, long-term enterprise solutions rather than quick fixes.

This tailored book explores the dynamic field of enterprise architecture with a focus on rapid transformation within 90 days. It covers foundational principles and advanced concepts, offering a personalized pathway that matches your background and targets your unique goals. By synthesizing expert knowledge with your specific interests, it reveals how to navigate complex architectural challenges and implement effective solutions swiftly. With a clear emphasis on practical application, this tailored guide examines essential tactics to accelerate enterprise architecture success, helping you build a solid foundation for strategic IT alignment and business transformation.

Gerben Wierda's extensive career as Lead Architect at APG and the Judiciary of The Netherlands shaped this book into a detailed guide on ArchiMate 3.1, a specialized enterprise architecture modeling language. You’ll gain a clear understanding of the language’s syntax and semantics, explore practical modeling patterns across business functions, infrastructure, and security, and get concise primers on related topics like blockchain and BPMN. This book suits architects, analysts, and IT professionals aiming to master ArchiMate for comprehensive enterprise modeling, though newcomers without prior architecture exposure might find some sections dense. It’s a focused manual designed to bridge theory with practical application in complex organizational contexts.

Chris Potts brings over thirty years of firsthand experience in strategy and enterprise architecture to this unique business novel. Through the journey of Simon, a Vice President of Enterprise Architecture, you explore how architecture integrates deeply with business strategy beyond IT infrastructure. The narrative reveals practical insights on aligning enterprise architecture with executive decision-making and innovation, illustrated by Simon's engagements with global leaders. You'll gain an understanding of how architecture can drive sustainable performance and the cultural shifts necessary for success. This book suits CEOs, enterprise architects, and senior managers seeking fresh perspectives on embedding architecture into strategic business frameworks.

Drawing from over 25 years of experience in enterprise-level product architecture, Andrew Fawcett offers a deep dive into building scalable, robust applications on the Salesforce Lightning Platform. The book walks you through designing complex enterprise apps using Lightning Web Components, Apex, and advanced architectural patterns like Separation of Concerns, with practical examples such as a sample app illustrating platform extensibility and customization. You'll gain skills in managing application lifecycle processes, continuous integration, and integrating AI features with Einstein. This detailed guide suits developers aiming to master enterprise-grade Salesforce apps and navigate evolving customer requirements confidently.