Frequently Asked Questions - Why EACOE
Why EACOE?
The Enterprise Architecture Center of Excellence (EACOE) is a vendor-neutral, practitioner-based organization solely dedicated to Enterprise Architecture and the Enterprise Architect. We provide the Enterprise Architecture community with a continuing evolving best-practice holistic environment for the practice of Enterprise Architecture. Our certification approach is simple and straightforward – learn the practice of Enterprise Architecture, actually perform Enterprise Architecture, have that performance reviewed by the worlds most experience Enterprise Architects, and receive the appropriate level of certification. You gain experience, use your knowledge and the knowledge of other practitioners, add to the knowledge base, and continue to grow the profession.
Why Should I Care?
EACOE provides the recognized practitioning standard for Enterprise Architects. As you review the workshop outline, you will see the most comprehensive and complete body of knowledge in the profession. Certification through EACOE will provide you with a referenceable standard, and is the benchmark for the Enterprise Architecture practitioning profession. You will be recognized for your achievements – now and in the future.
Certifying against a defined body of knowledge is crucial to advance the profession. All professional disciplines begin with a body of knowledge as a reference point. The EACOE Enterprise Architecture Certification process follows this professional discipline. Without this body of knowledge, the results of the Enterprise Architecture will be inconsistent, and difficult to verify. As an example, chemistry was alchemy until Mendeleev defined the chemical periodic table of elements. Once the periodic table of the elements was defined, a body of knowledge was developed. From this body of knowledge, alchemy could be transformed to chemistry and “chemical engineering”. The chemical engineering profession then flourished. Numerous other parallels in other disciplines can be drawn with the same positive conclusions.
Our advisory Board of Directors are from the partitioning community – we are truly vendor neutral. EACOE accepts no funding or support from outside concerns – we are strictly here for the Enterprise Architecture Practitioner community. Of course we welcome software vendors and service vendors to our community – all should practice from the same body of knowledge.
Finally, with EACOE, and only with EACOE, you get a consistent instructional experience. We provide a single consistent practitioner-based workshop environment, guaranteed to be consistent – one instructor, one consistent and timely body of knowledge, and the highest possible learning experience.
Who is Eligible for Certification?
By packaging all requirements in one comprehensive workshop (with the exception of the advanced certification requirement of actual Enterprise Architecture practice), all guesswork and inconsistencies are taken out of the process. The Certification received is consistent and practice-based. Everyone is measured against the same criteria and body of knowledge – the only way to assure professional results across the community.
Can I Benefit from the Certification workshop if I am not Seeking Certification?
The workshop will provide valuable insight for all that manage, interface, or desire an understanding of Enterprise Architecture and Enterprise Architects. Certification is an option for those attending this workshop.
What Does it Cost?
The four and one-half day Enterprise Architecture Certification workshop fee is $2,995.00. The fee includes:
- An Enterprise Architecture Process
- An Enterprise Architecture Classification, Taxonomy, and Framework
- An Enterprise Architecture Work Breakdown Structure and Methodology
- An Enterprise Architect Maturity Model
- An Organization Change Model, Process, Methodology and Work Breakdown Structure
- A Set of Business Understanding Components
- A Set of Technology Understanding Components
- An Understanding of Enterprise Architecture Models
- An Understanding of Enterprise Implementation Models
- Components geared toward “short term value”, that can be built upon to provide “long term value”
- Templates and tools to provide immediate practitioner guidance
- Criteria to allow practitioners to be recognized for growing competencies, as their experience grows, based on actual Enterprise Architecture enablement activities
- Classroom presentation and workshop materials
Annual renewal, during the term of the Certification is $100.00. Continuation of Certification, after the initial two or three period (depending on Certification level), is $500.00. Certification renewal has the same requirements as initial Certification.
How do People Know I am EACOE Certified?
All EACOE Members will receive a certificate, lapel pin, and a membership card, colored to denote the appropriate classification, and noting the expiration date of the classification certification. If desired, a EACOE Member may request their name, classification level, and expiration date of the classification be posted on the EACOE web site. The appropriate certification logo can be used by the Certified Enterprise Architect in correspondence.
Who is Reviewing my Work and What are their qualifications?
You will be evaluated by Certified Enterprise Architects that have at least ten years of experience in Enterprise Architecture and the body of knowledge represented by this EACOE Certification workshop. Our objective it to get you certified, not to prevent certification. All of our staff are practicing Enterprise Architects – EACOE is in existence for practitioners, and run by practitioners.
How Long will it take to get my Certification?
Initial Certification takes place at the end of the Certification workshop, upon successful completion of the extensive classroom exercises. Senior, Distinguished, and Enterprise Architecture Fellow designations require additional submissions and reviews. Certification of these advanced designations usually takes thirty days after successful submissions are received, and the evaluation criteria met. Each candidate for advanced Certification submits an individualized plan for these certification levels.
What Should be in my Individualized Plan for Advanced Certification?
An individualized plan should contain a profile of how the candidate intends to demonstrate advanced Enterprise Architecture skills. The focus is on the defined artifacts that are an Enterprise Architecture. Additionally, project management, business understanding, and organization skills demonstration should be in the individualized plan. All of these components are part of the EACOE Certification workshop, and part of a seasoned Enterprise Architecture skill set.
EACOE Advanced Certification requires demonstrating actual Enterprise Architecture artifacts. As examples, this would include models, project plans, benefit testimonials, Enterprise Architecture documents, surveys, etc. EACOE will accept materials with some redaction. Confidentiality agreements can be executed.
Do I have to renew my Certification?
Professional Certification in most professions are limited in time. EACOE Certification is consistent with this concept. EACOE Certification for an Enterprise Architect is valid for two years. Advanced categories of EACOE Certification are valid for three years.
Certification renewal has the same requirements as initial Certification.
Can I Display my EACOE Certification on My Own Web Site, Business Cards, Etc.?
Yes, as long as the Certification remains valid.
