While the title “Architect” is increasingly common, and there is a general acknowledgement of the need for architecture, it is often unclear what data architecture is and what a data architect does.

This tutorial explains the different types of data architecture and how they are carried out. Examples are provided to illustrate architecture tasks. Additionally, the need for governance over data architecture is described, along with the need to interface with other types of architecture (e.g. business and application architecture). Special emphasis is given to the role of higher-level architectural artifacts, such as reference architectures, as well as the role of patterns in solution architectures. Emphasis is placed on establishing architectures at the enterprise level, and how these are carried down into more detailed tasks. The tutorial encompasses both data and information architectures.

Attendees will learn:

• The scope and mission of data architecture, and how it fits with other kinds of architectural capabilities
• The core capabilities that have to be developed to successfully implement a data architecture function
• A top-down approach to data architecture, with emphasis on reference architecture, logical data architecture, and upper ontologies
• How to develop/ utilize and apply patterns in data architecture, with practical examples
• How to develop appropriate governance processes for data architecture, with examples provided.