This book helps (aspiring) architects embrace a new view of what it means to be an
architect and equips them to ride the architect elevator across many levels, aligning
organization and technology and effecting lasting change.
This book is based on my daily experiences of two decades in IT, which led me through
being a startup cofounder (lots of fun, not lots of money), system integrator (made tax
audits more efficient), consultant (lots of PowerPoint), author (collecting and
documenting insights), internet software engineer (building the future), chief architect
of a large multinational organization (tough, but rewarding), and CTO advisor (lots of
insights and sharing). I felt that taking a personal account of IT transformation might
be appropriate because architecture is by nature a somewhat personal business. When
looking at a famous building, you can easily identify the architect from afar. White box:
Richard Meier; all crooked: Frank Gehry; looks like made from fabric: Zaha Hadid.
Although not quite as dramatic, every (chief) IT architect also has their personal
emphasis and style that’s reflected in their works.