Architecture in 2025

Midway through 2023 I created an overview of where I thought the architecture discipline was at, a few months ago I updated those thoughts, but today I wanted to take a stab at where I think architecture will go in 2025. Once again, this is not scientific, this is purely based on the conversations I am having and what I see in the market. I thought I would break it down into roles, not every role as we’d be here forever in a day, but more general roles.

Enterprise Architecture

You had a rough year as an EA, everyone in architecture has, but I think enterprise architects have probably had it worst. With a contracting of spending, organisations have been looking to just deliver what they have and haven’t been thinking about what’s next, which has meant the perceived need for EA isn’t there.

Organisations to me, seem to be investing less in a dedicated enterprise architecture practice, and see it more as a transformational function. Whether it’s engaging contractors for a specific time, or engaging organisations to outsource their capability. I can see this contraction of dedicated EA practices continuing.

From what I can see, many enterprise architects aren’t even talking about enterprise architecture with the business anymore, they are talking about business outcomes that matter to the business (how to make better investment decisions, business on a page, capability models). They are still practicing enterprise architecture but have almost realised it’s somewhat of a dirty word to many.

Business Architecture

Reading through my notes from 2023, I really think what I said then can just be repeated, it still baffles me that this isn’t more popular. I understand that budgets are tight, and often business architecture is lumped in with EA, but a good business architect can add so much value to an organisation.

If I were a business architect looking into 2025, I would feel comfortable that the banks and in general the government agencies still see the value, but as always, you’ll likely still be doing “business architecture in disguise”. I still think things will take off in the future, but I can’t see 2025 being that year, hopefully I am wrong.

Solution Architecture

Well, I predicted in 2023 that there would be a good run of work for solution architects for 12-18 months. That was pretty much spot on, and to be fair not a difficult prediction given the money that was floating around at the time.

I know many damn good solution architects who have been looking for work for a number of months, and to you, I would say keep your head up, things are going to pick up, the market is starting to get better, but it’s still competitive out there. Where you would’ve been beating off potential suiters 18 months ago, you are now one of 5-6 architects vying for each position.

In 2025 I think demand will increase, it will have to as government and corporates start doing more transformation. I think Jan will still be very quiet given holidays, but I dare say come to Feb / March things will get better.

Cloud Architecture

If you are a cloud architect, you are probably pretty happy at the moment. There seems to be a strong demand, and in general there will be for the foreseeable future. More organisations seem to be wanting specific experience with either AWS or Azure, but as the market picks up, they won’t be able to be so picky.

Into 2025 I think you’ll still be fine, even if some organisations are starting to seriously question the costs involved with being “on the cloud” but there won’t be any shortage of work for you.

Integration Architecture

Back in 2023 I predicated that organisations would continue to step away from bespoke to COTs, and that trend has continued. So, for integration architects I think you’ve had a good run and will continue to do so. What I have seen is some organisations get somewhat frustrated that they have been hoodwinked into looking at the latest and greatest (and incredibly expensive) event streaming solution when they would have been fine with an API solution.

In 2025 I dare say there will still be a lot of work for you, but I do wonder how many organisations will continue to invest in gold plated solutions compared to what just does the job.

Data Architecture

With all the talk around AI and LLM’s you’d have thought the need for data architects would be through the roof. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen that to be the case, I do wonder whether this is still a slight hangover from the perception that a lot of data architects are down in the weed’s techies. If I am a data architect I’m getting in front of the business as much as possible, having business conversations with them.

In 2025 I do think demand will continue to rise, I don’t think there are that many organisations that are interested in the data modelling side of things, they more tend to be interested in data technology solutions. I personally think that is somewhat of a mistake, but most people seem more interested in new shiny technology.

Security Architecture

From personal experience I can say that finding a security architect can be a nightmare. There are so very few of you out there and you are generally on some very good rates on long term engagements. I don’t see this changing anytime soon. In fact, I know a number of architects who are looking to move into security architecture as they see it as a potential pivot. Interestingly it’s primarily coming from those who have a background in the infrastructure/network space.

Infrastructure / Network Architects

I predicted in 2023 that times for infrastructure and network architects would be tough in the coming years as organisations moved to more cloud native solutions and away from traditional infrastructure. I have been surprised to hear in a number of the architecture collective events that some major organisations are now looking at how they can transition away (at least partially) from cloud. They have realised the massive cost that can come with being on the cloud.

I still think that simply being a traditional infra architect narrow’s your ability to find work, but from what I have seen there are two pathways out, security architecture and cloud architecture, either option has a good outlook in the coming year.

In 2025 I think there will still be demand from more traditional organisations, but you’ll want to look to continue to develop your skillset.

Head’s Of Architecture / Chief Architects

There has been a lot of movement in the last 12 months for architecture leaders. Some organisations have been disestablishing the role completely, whilst others have merged role and lumped more work onto an already overworked leader. One conversation I had back in June, an architecture leader was managing close to 40 architects directly, whilst still being asked to also be the visionary.. Tough one that.

Based on the amount of turnover last year, I do think there will be less opportunities this year at the top table. There are organisations out there who will begin to re-establish their architecture practices, but it’s unlikely to happen until Q2.

Summary

I like to think I am an optimist, so with that in mind, I think things are looking better for this year. It’ll still be competitive out there if you are looking, but you’ll start to see more opportunities hit the market. If you are open to more fractional work, I think this will start to increase as smaller organisations begin to see the value in architecture.