The Center for the Advocacy of the Enterprise Architecture Profession (CAEAP) published a collaborative work called the Enterprise Architecture Professional Practice Guide (EA PPG).  This is the first draft abstract for the EA PPG.

I joined the CAEAP when it was formed in 2009.  I have the honour working with an excellent group of people as a contributor to this work over the past 6 months as a Chapter Lead.  Special mention goes to the leadership of CAEAP for creating the vision for the Professional Practice Guide.  Special mention to my friend, Bob McIlree (@rmcilree) who took over the Project Management reigns and was instrumental in getting this document published.

The statement of purpose of the EA Professional Practice Guide is:

The purpose of the Professional Practice Guide for Enterprise Architects (the Guide) is to clarify the definition of enterprise architecture and establish a basis for enterprise architecture to mature as a profession. The Guide seeks to serve this end by becoming:

• The definitive resource for enterprise architects to use in advancing their own practices;

• The contract between the enterprise architect and the public (e.g., stakeholders, executives, customers, the general public) they serve; and

• A crucial and comprehensive reference set of information for educators.

The Guide identifies professional practices that enterprise architects internalize and diligently use in their work. It also addresses the public’s expectations regarding the enterprise architects as representatives of the profession and their individual ability to answer to the problem space that enterprise architecture fulfills.

Here is the table of contents for the EA PPG:

Section 1: The Profession

1. The Professional Enterprise Architect

2. Standards of Acceptance for ?Professional? Designation

3. Capabilities of the Professional Enterprise Architect

4. Opportunities for Recognition

5. Education and Certification

6. Apprenticeship

Section 2: The Practice

7. Establishing an Enterprise Architecture Practice

8. Growing a Practice

9. Maturing the Practice

10. Branding and Marketing

Section 3: The Public

11. Legal Environment

12. Framework and Methodology Accreditation

13. Education Accreditation

14. Assessment beyond Certification

15. Working with Clients

16. The Enterprise Architecture Community

We (CAEAP) are seeking your constructive feedback on the EA PPG.  You can provide feedback on the CAEAP website at this link.

Early in 2009, a group of Enterprise Architecture thought leaders gathered together to begin a focused advocacy program for our profession. They created the Center for the Advancement of the Enterprise Architecture Profession (CAEAP).

Vision:CAEAP seeks to be the organization responsible for the Enterprise Architecture Profession.  In this capacity, CAEAP acts as the primary advocate for the Profession, addressing the public at large, enterprises the Profession serves, and the Profession itself, to which Enterprise Architects belong through their practice.

Mission:

CAEAP promotes the professional status of Enterprise Architects and works to ensure the legitimacy of the Profession by distinguishing it from other professions and non-professionals (consultants, employees, and supporting roles).  CAEAP is the public face of the Profession and is further charged with maintaining its consistent view towards the public, enterprises, and its professional members. The aim is:

• Sustainability of the profession
• Create brand recognition for the profession
• Deliver consistency through accreditation
• Support professional autonomy
• AND provide answers for the public . . .
  • Clarify in the public eye as to what a professional EA contributes
  • Ensure the public’s trust in EA as a profession
  • Assure the public they’re dealing with a competent EA professional

Goals

• Become the advocacy organization that is responsible for determining ethical behavior within the profession of enterprise architecture.

• Provide access and maintain the standards of education and experience that are necessary conditions for professional competency and entry into the profession of enterprise architecture.
• Determine the level of regulatory self governance for the profession of enterprise architecture that provides professional guidance higher than those established by general law.
• Define and enforce professional rules and standards for enterprise architecture that are necessary to protect and benefit the public.
• Disciplinary action for the profession of enterprise architecture that includes public reporting and, if necessary, expulsion from registrations should the ethics, rules, and standards not be observed or if work is not finished in a professional manner.
• Ensure that there is fair and open competition within the profession of enterprise architecture.
• Provide the consistent leadership required for public acceptance of the enterprise architecture profession.

Core Values

1.       Integrity,

2.      Leadership,

3.      Excellence, and

4.      Ethical Behavior.

The group created a Constitution, an EA Professional Oath, an EA Professional Doctrine, an EA Profession Roadmap and EA Value Maps.  Read more...