What is the role of an Enterprise Architect at an insurance company or a bank?

An Enterprise Architect sits at the center of the different layers and departments within an organization. The role is not limited to the IT department alone. But what does this position actually involve, and how does it take shape within a financial institution such as an insurance company or a bank? Find out in this blog.

A conversation with Robert-Jan Opschoor

To gain insight into the role of an Enterprise Architect within the financial sector, we spoke with Robert-Jan Opschoor, Enterprise Architect at one of the largest insurers in the Netherlands. With nearly 30 years of experience in the financial world and more than 20 years in various IT roles, he is well positioned to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the work of an Enterprise Architect.

An Enterprise Architect balances today and tomorrow

Robert-Jan explains that he divides his focus into three horizons:

• Today to roughly 18 months ahead
• Two to five years ahead
• Five to seven or eight years ahead

It is essential for an Enterprise Architect to have a clear view of what is needed right now, while also understanding the long-term impact of today’s decisions. At the same time, the organization must prepare for developments that are still further down the road. Systems need to run reliably and be able to adapt to change.

This is where the complexity of the role lies. The core back-end systems must remain stable, while the front end of applications needs to be flexible enough to keep pace with the market. According to Robert-Jan, insurers and banks should aim for flexibility at the web and app level, so customer-facing features can be adjusted and expanded easily. This flexibility is crucial for improving services. For example, enabling customers to make an extra mortgage repayment through an app or allowing them to upload required documents for a claim more quickly.

Enterprise Architect in practice

In day-to-day work, an Enterprise Architect supports IT teams in various ways. The architect often acts as a sounding board, translating vision and strategy into clear guidance. They also provide an overview of the existing systems that can be used to address specific challenges.

Another key responsibility is weighing short-term priorities against long-term objectives. All risks and consequences must be carefully considered, with the Enterprise Architect maintaining the broader overview together with other domain architects. For example, a change in legislation may require a system update within a short timeframe. External pressure like this can lead to a situation where an outdated system that actually needs full replacement is temporarily reused to comply with new regulations. The architects must determine whether this fits within the current architecture. In some cases, a temporary approval may be granted to implement the change in legacy technology, on the condition that it will later be rebuilt in a future-proof way to ensure ongoing compliance. This requires an official waiver from senior management. The Enterprise Architect oversees and guides this entire process.

The Enterprise Architect also contributes to the organization’s broader strategy. While overall strategy is ultimately defined by management, the architect provides input and direction. This role is essential because the architect operates across the different layers of the organization.

At the project level, the architect is involved in PSAs, or Project Start Architecture documents. These documents serve as a framework for implementing change. They outline, at a high level, how the architecture should look, covering both updates to the existing architecture and new additions.

What else matters for an Enterprise Architect?

According to Robert-Jan, an Enterprise Architect should also pay close attention to developments in the wider environment, not just within IT. Broader trends can be translated into potential impacts on the organization.

He highlights developments in biotechnology research as an example. Scientific breakthroughs in medication may enable people to live longer and be kept alive more effectively during illness. This can have significant consequences for insurance companies. They may need to reassess whether their services should be adjusted. Ethical and moral considerations naturally play a role here. As a society, we will need to develop a clear vision and policy on these issues in the coming years.

Robert-Jan also emphasizes the importance of soft skills. Because the Enterprise Architect operates across many layers and works with a wide range of stakeholders, it is crucial to understand how to communicate effectively and represent the interests of different departments.

The future of the insurance market

Would you like to learn more about the insurance market from the perspective of an Enterprise Architect? Download our vision paper, “The Future of the Insurance Market Through the Eyes of an Enterprise Architect.”