Overview
In today’s fast-paced world of business transformation, many organizations are falling into a dangerous trap—relying on outdated frameworks and roles that don’t truly serve their needs.
While frameworks like TOGAF and SAFe have their strengths, they often fall short when it comes to delivering real business transformation.
Why? Because they focus too much on technology and not enough on the business itself.
In this post, we break down the myths surrounding “Enterprise Architects” and how they’re failing organizations.
More importantly, we introduce the role of the Business Transformator—someone who combines strategy, design, collaboration, and negotiation to drive true, sustainable transformation.
At HOBA Tech, we believe that real transformation starts with a framework built for the business, by the business.
Over the last 15 years, we’ve worked with some of the largest transformations in the UK, using our award-winning HOBA framework. And now, I’m sharing that framework with you.
Heres what we’ll cover (click the links to skip to the section below):
NB – Click to expand images 📸
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The "Enterprise Architect" Illusion: Technology vs. Business
- The Solution Architect’s Blind Spot: Are You Really Solving the Problem?
- The Business Architect: The Missing Piece in Transformation
- A Framework Problem: TOGAF, SAFe and HOBA
- What It’s Like to Work with HOBA Tech: Building Agility, Not Dependency
- The Business Transformator: Strategy, Design, and Transformation in One
- Ready to Transform? Get Started Today!
- Get Your FREE Business Transformation Health Check
- Final Thought
Introduction
Unpopular opinion: There is no such thing as a true “Enterprise Architect.”
In my 20 years of working in business transformation, I’ve yet to meet one.
I’ve met countless technology architects and a handful of business architects—but never someone who could truly straddle both worlds with any real authority.
And this confusion around roles is why so many transformation projects fail to deliver.
But before you dismiss this as just another rant, let’s dig into the heart of the problem.
The "Enterprise Architect" Illusion: Technology vs. Business
In theory, an Enterprise Architect should be the bridge between business strategy and technology implementation.
In reality? They usually lean toward one of two extremes: technology or business. But rarely both.
Let’s be clear—if you’re focusing solely on technology, you’re not doing enterprise architecture.
You’re doing technology architecture.
TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) is often touted as the “gold standard” for enterprise architecture.
But let’s not kid ourselves—TOGAF was created by systems and technology practitioners, and its core focus has always been technology.
It does a great job at technology architecture, but is that what your business really needs for holistic transformation?
Probably not.
The Solution Architect’s Blind Spot: Are You Really Solving the Problem?
Then there’s the Solution Architect.
Sounds like a key player, right? But here’s the problem—they’re not creating solutions for your business as a whole.
They’re creating solutions for technology challenges.
I often say, “If you’re only solving technology problems, you’re not solving the real business challenges.”
The word “solution” may sound comprehensive, but in reality, it’s just about piecing together tech systems.
What about the business side?
The organizational design?
The people who will use this solution?
If you’re a Solution Architect, I ask you—are you really thinking about the business as a whole, or are you just playing Lego with systems?
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👀 "There is no such thing as a true 'Enterprise Architect.' You’re either a technology architect or a business architect—anyone claiming to be both is missing the mark entirely." #BusinessTransformation #EnterpriseArchitecture #MythBuster 💡
The Business Architect: The Missing Piece in Transformation
Now, let’s talk about the Business Architect.
This role should be at the core of any transformation, yet in most organizations, it’s underutilized, misunderstood, or worse—nonexistent.
A Business Architect understands the strategic direction of the company and designs the business to execute that vision.
They know how to structure the organization, how to align people and processes, and how to drive real change.
Unfortunately, most businesses confuse business architecture with technology architecture, or they try to force a technology architect into the role.
This is why transformations go off track—technology is prioritized over the business, and the outcome is not what was promised.
Framework Problem: Why TOGAF and SAFe Aren’t Enough for Business Transformation
Let’s face it—frameworks are part of the problem, too.
TOGAF is a solid framework, but for what?
Technology architecture.
It was never designed for business transformation.
SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) is another fantastic tool, but its origins lie in software implementation, not in enterprise-wide transformation.
It’s great for agile software development but not for aligning your business strategy with operations.
And then there’s HOBA (House of Business Architecture), which was designed with the business, for the business, and to be used by the business.
HOBA was battle-tested over 15 years in use with private clients, in some of the largest transformations in the UK, before we made it public in our 6-time bestseller The Business Transformation Playbook.
It’s been trusted by tens of thousands of practitioners and hundreds of companies around the world—including the UK government, FTSE100 companies, and fast-growing firms.
Unlike TOGAF or SAFe, HOBA doesn’t just leave you with a blueprint—it gives you a framework that your business can own, manage, and evolve independently.
What It’s Like to Work with HOBA Tech: Building Agility, Not Dependency
At HOBA Tech, we’re not just consultants—we’re transformation enablers.
Our approach is to empower businesses to own their transformation.
We don’t create systems that need constant management from outside consultants (or as I like to call it—a “job for life” for the consultant).
Instead, we work alongside your team to build internal capabilities so that you can achieve true business agility.
When you work with HOBA Tech, you’re not just buying a service—you’re partnering with award-winning experts who have successfully led some of the largest transformations in the world.
We’ve helped businesses unlock their full potential, and we can do the same for you.
This isn’t just talk. I’ve walked the walk as the creator of HOBA, international keynote speaker, and author of The Business Transformation Playbook, a bestseller in six categories including business, project management, decision-making, problem-solving, skills, and consulting.
The Business Transformator: Strategy, Design, and Transformation in One
At HOBA Tech, we talk about the role of the Business Transformator.
This is more than just a fancy title.
It’s a mindset.
A Business Transformator is part-strategist, part-designer, part-collaborator, and part-negotiator.
They guide your organization not only in crafting a vision but in designing and implementing the structure needed to execute that vision.
They collaborate across all functions, negotiating priorities and trade-offs to ensure that transformation doesn’t just happen—it succeeds.
We’ve built this role into the core of our framework because that’s what businesses need today: not just architects, but transformers.
Ready to Transform? Get Started Today!
You’ve heard the talk—now it’s time to see the walk.
If you want proof of how HOBA Tech can transform your business, I invite you to download my book The Business Transformation Playbook—completely FREE (Value $49.00)!
Just use the code TRUTHBOMB and click the link below.
Let’s cut through the noise and get your business on the path to real transformation.
🚨 "TOGAF is a great framework for technology—but if you’re using it for business transformation, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Business architecture needs a framework that was made by the business, for the business." #HOBA #FrameworksMatter #TOGAF #AgileBusiness 🔥
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Ready to see how your business stacks up?
Take our FREE Business Transformation Health Check today.
We’ll assess your current state, identify any gaps, and provide actionable insights to help you achieve a successful transformation.
Don’t just take our word for it—experience the HOBA Tech difference for yourself.
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💡 "Stop creating blueprints for the sake of blueprints. Real business transformation requires a Business Transformator—part strategist, part designer, part negotiator, and part collaborator. It’s time to move beyond just technology." #BusinessTransformator #BusinessAgility #TransformationLeadership 🚀
Final Thought
At the end of the day, successful business transformation requires more than just technology fixes and generic frameworks.
It’s about aligning your business strategy, architecture, and operations to drive real, sustainable change.
The role of the Business Transformator is key, and so is choosing the right framework—one designed with the business, for the business, and to be owned by the business.
If you’re tired of frameworks that only solve half the problem or architects who focus too much on technology, it’s time to try something different.
HOBA Tech is here to empower your organization with the tools, skills, and mindset for true transformation.
☎️ Ready to get started? Contact us today for a FREE consultation and learn more about how we can help your business transform successfully.
Don’t forget to grab your free copy of The Business Transformation Playbook using the code TRUTHBOMB (Value $49.00) and see how HOBA can transform your business for good! 👉 Download here
Heath Gascoigne
P.S. If you want to join our Business Transformator community of 2,000+ like-minded Business Transformators, join the community on the Business Transformator Facebook Group here.
P.P.S. If you want to learn more about business transformation, check out The Business Transformation Playbook here.
For more information, visit https://www.hoba.tech
