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Enterprise Architect Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 26 January 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Enterprise Architect interview questions and answers.

  1. What do you think is an essential quality for an enterprise architect? See answer
  2. How would you describe the importance of enterprise architecture to an employer with no technical background? See answer
  3. How do you negotiate service-level agreements with vendors? See answer
  4. Have you had to deal with organisational silos in a previous role? How did you handle it? See answer
  5. What is your understanding of SOA design patterns, and how can you apply them? See answer
  6. In your opinion, how does enterprise architecture contribute to sales? See answer
  7. Can you tell me about a time decision-makers had conflicting opinions about your ideas? How did you handle it? See answer
  8. Have you ever implemented a project that failed? How did you handle it? See answer
  9. What is your experience with data management standards and practices? See answer
  10. Why is an architectural roadmap important, and what information will you include in one?
  11. Which groups of decision-makers would you include in the enterprise architecture life cycle?
  12. How do you stay abreast of new technology trends that are relevant to enterprise architecture?
  13. How do you ensure a solution complies with enterprise architecture?
  14. Based on your experience, what metrics do you use to appraise the effectiveness of the enterprise architecture?
  15. Can you share an example of a time you implemented a solution that reduced the cost of operations?
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Enterprise Architect Interview Questions and Answers

What do you think is an essential quality for an enterprise architect?

This question tests the candidate's understanding of the role of an enterprise architect. Focus on the quality the candidate mentions and how they explain its relevance to an enterprise architect role. What to look for in an answer:

  • Practical knowledge of the role of an enterprise architect
  • Communication and articulation skills
  • Confidence while responding
Example:

'I believe strategic thinking is an essential quality for an enterprise architect. An organisation's enterprise architecture should align with its long-term goals and sustain them for as long as possible. Strategic thinking helps an enterprise architect achieve this.'

Why is an architectural roadmap important and what information would you include in one?

An architectural roadmap demonstrates how a company's technology structure and plans help achieve business goals. This question tests a candidate's practical knowledge about creating an architectural roadmap. Focus on what information the candidate considers relevant for the roadmap. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of what makes a good architectural roadmap
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Practical experience creating road maps
Example:

'A roadmap helps communicate your strategy easily to various audiences. It also ensures your team is on track and prioritising goals properly. An ideal roadmap should show your current state, desired outcome and action plan. I typically include information, technology, application and business domains when designing a roadmap.'

How would you describe the importance of enterprise architecture to an employer with no technical background?

This question aims to test the candidate's understanding of how enterprise architecture can translate to real business results and how the candidate can articulate this using simple language. Focus on the candidate's ability to communicate technical knowledge in simple terms and knowledge of how enterprise architecture can boost profitability. What to look for in an answer:

  • Persuasion skills
  • Knowledge of the importance of enterprise architecture in a company
  • Presentation skills
'Enterprise architecture creates systems that automate many business processes and allows a seamless flow of information between the various sectors of your businesses. This increases efficiency and frees up human resources to take on more tasks, directly leading to a boost in productivity and profits.'
Example:

Which decision-makers would you include in the enterprise architecture life cycle?

An enterprise architect typically reports to the chief information officer of a company. Depending on the size or nature of the company, the enterprise architecture life cycle may also include the CEO, COO, CFO, CTO, and the director of marketing. Focus on identifying a candidate's experience working with stakeholder groups available in your company. What to expect in an answer:

  • Knowledge of enterprise architecture life cycles  
  • Understanding of organisational structures 
  • Ability to keep decision-makers well-informed 
'At my last job, I reported directly to the chief information officer, who then communicated with the CEO and other decision-makers. In previous work experiences, I've directly included the CEO and marketing director in the enterprise architecture life cycle.'
Example:

How do you negotiate service-level agreements with vendors?

A service-level agreement stipulates the quality of service expected from a vendor, lays out the metrics to measure quality, and states the remedies or penalties available if the agreement is breached. The goal is to determine a candidate's knowledge and experience negotiating service-level agreements. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of service-level agreements 
  • Negotiation skills 
  • Prioritisation of company interests 
'I ensure the service-level agreement is specific about the services we receive, conditions for the availability of services, and the metrics for measuring the quality of services. I collaborate with the legal department to ensure the agreement meets all legal standards, and I make use of third-party tools to monitor compliance objectively.'
Example:

Have you had to deal with organisational silos in a previous role? How did you handle it?

An organisational silo is when employees or departments in an organisation refuse or don't have the means to share information. Organisational silos can cost a company in terms of efficiency and productivity. The ideal candidate demonstrates knowledge of detecting the causes of an information block and how to solve it with creativity and discretion where needed. What to look for in an answer:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Conflict management skills 
  • Knowledge of information systems 
'In my previous workplace, I discovered that the production plant didn't have an effective way of recording important production information and sending it to the finance department, which had caused some conflict. So I designed a system that automatically logged vital information at the plant, making it easier for them to send the information to the finance department.'
Example:

How do you stay abreast of new technological trends that are relevant to enterprise architecture?

An ideal enterprise architect always stays informed about technological developments and can apply them for the company's benefit. This question tests a candidate's passion for the job and ability to self-manage. Identify if the candidate can stay motivated, take initiative, and have a working system to stay informed. What to look for in an answer: 

  • Ability to display initiative 
  • Passion for learning 
  • Reliable system for learning and improvement 
'I follow several social media accounts dedicated to releasing news on technology. I also subscribe to various credible technology magazines, websites and newsletters, which I read daily. These ensure I'm aware of new software and application methods in my field.'
Example:

What is your understanding of SOA design patterns, and how can you apply them?

The application of SOA design patterns to organisational processes can increase efficiency by giving workers time to focus on other issues. Therefore, the ideal candidate needs to demonstrate practical experience with SOA patterns and knowledge of how they can solve common organisational issues. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of SOA design patterns 
  • Technical skills
  • Problem-solving skills 
'SOA design patterns are pieces of information that help businesses tackle reoccurring issues and repetitive tasks. For example, a common and useful application of SOA design patterns is event-driven messaging, which we use to notify customers about sales, promotions, anniversaries and other events.'
Example:

In your opinion, how does enterprise architecture contribute to sales?

The goal is to select a candidate that understands the enterprise architecture's role in achieving business goals. The ideal candidate is client-focused and understands that the enterprise architecture's function is to facilitate customer satisfaction. What to look for in an answer: 

  • Customer-focused approach to work
  • Knowledge of organisational structure and interdependence 
  • Collabouration skills 
'Every business benefits from an increase in sales and profits, and enterprise architecture helps achieve this. For instance, it drives informed IT investments. These technological investments promote operational efficiency and the free flow of information. Enterprise architecture also reduces waste and time-to-market. All these directly translate to greater sales and profits.'
Example:

Can you tell me about a time decision-makers had conflicting opinions about your ideas? How did you handle it?

When an enterprise architect reports to several decision-makers, it's natural for conflict to arise about the architect's ideas. This question allows you to understand how a candidate navigates conflict in the workplace. Focus on how the candidate harmonises conflicting opinions while focusing on company goals. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interpersonal skills
  • Conflict management skills 
  • Communication skills 
'I once had to settle a conflict of opinion between the CIO and director of marketing at my previous workplace. I met both of them individually and listened to their complaints and their understanding of the company's goals. After that, I developed a compromise that addressed both their concerns.'
Example:

How do you ensure a solution complies with the enterprise architecture?

It's important to make sure that projects comply with the enterprise architecture at the initiation stage. The ideal candidate needs to show knowledge of compliance assessments and their importance to business goals. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of compliance assessment 
  • Technical skills 
  • Self-assessment skills 
'I understand that sidelining compliance architecture can lead to system inefficiency, system malfunction, and in extreme cases, a system shutdown. So, after defining a system, I run a compliance assessment and get feedback from other employees about their experience with the solution. I check issues like security, tools, methods and system management.'
Example:

Based on your experience, what metrics should be used to appraise the effectiveness of the enterprise architecture? 

An ideal enterprise architect can judge the effectiveness of the enterprise architecture based on how it impacts company goals. The goal is to determine if candidates can judge the efficiency of their work and make changes where necessary. Identify if the candidate mentions metrics that align with your company goals. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of relevant company goals
  • Knowledge of enterprise architecture 
  • The ability for objective self-assessment 
'I test the effectiveness of the system based on if each component is achieving its goals as laid out in the architectural roadmap.  Ease of information flow, speed of processes and elimination of redundancy are some of the metrics I use.'
Example:

Have you ever implemented a project that failed? How did you handle it?

Enterprise architects cultivate IT solutions and systems that cater to an organisations' goals. Unfortunately, not all systems work as intended. This question helps you identify how the candidate responds to unsuccessful attempts. What to look for in an answer:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Accountability and self-motivation
  • Previous work experience 
'I once designed a communications system that crashed and almost left my office without communications. I immediately implemented a temporary solution and used the feedback from my coworkers to design a new system. I learned that failure is part of the process, but accountability and motivation help make up for it.'
Example:

What is your experience with data management standards and practices?

The goal is to identify a candidate's understanding of relevant data management standards and practices. You can also determine the data management practices and standards a candidate considers important and their experience applying them. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of proper data storage 
  • Experience applying data management standards and practices
  • Organisational skills 
'I understand that following data management practices is vital to satisfy ethical and professional standards and prevent company liability. So, I always followed the data management standards of my company at my previous workplace. I reread them weekly to ensure I was always in compliance."
Example:

Can you share an example of when you implemented a solution that reduced operation cost?

The goal is to identify a candidate with an understanding of business optimisation techniques and methods. You can also identify a candidate with experience reducing the operation cost of a company. You can also get insight into the candidate's work history and level of creativity. What to look for in an answer:

  • Creativity 
  • Problem-solving skills 
  • Practical work experience 
'At my last employment, I designed a system that automated processes like record-keeping and receiving orders or feedback. This helped reduce operation costs by 3.5%, as we prevented unnecessary recruitment. By also making records more accessible to decision-makers, we improved business efficiency.'
Example:
Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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