Guide · Enterprise architecture

Enterprise architect vs solution architect

“Enterprise architect” and “solution architect” are often used loosely, but they're distinct roles working at different altitudes. Understanding the difference clarifies who does what.

The enterprise architect

An enterprise architect works at the organisation level. They're concerned with the big picture — capabilities, standards, the application estate, and how technology supports strategy across the whole enterprise.

The solution architect

A solution architect works at the project or product level. They design a specific solution to a specific problem, making detailed technical choices within the guardrails the enterprise sets.

How they work together

• The enterprise architect sets principles, standards and target architectures.
• The solution architect designs within them and flags where they don't fit.
• Architecture reviews are where the two meet — the solution is checked against the enterprise picture.

Where they overlap

In smaller organisations one person does both. Even in larger ones the line blurs — good enterprise architects stay close to real solutions, and good solution architects think beyond their project. The distinction is altitude, not a hard wall.