Digital transformation poses enormous challenges to companies. Strategic architectural decisions are often complex and costly, with long-term impacts on business success. At the same time, it’s hardly realistic for many organizations — especially small and mid-sized enterprises — to maintain a full-time enterprise architect position.
This is where a new and increasingly relevant model comes in: Fractional Enterprise Architects.
What Is a Fractional Enterprise Architect?
A Fractional Enterprise Architect is a highly skilled architecture professional who brings their expertise to organizations on a mandate or part-time basis. Instead of being involved in day-to-day operational tasks, they focus on strategic topics related to business and IT architecture.
The term “fractional” means flexible, time-bound, and on-demand. Companies can access high-level architectural expertise precisely when needed – without the fixed cost of a full-time position.
Benefits for Organizations
Engaging a Fractional Enterprise Architect offers a range of valuable advantages:
- Strategic vision without fixed costs: Gain access to senior-level expertise without the overhead of a full-time position
- Independence and neutrality: External architects are less influenced by internal politics or structures, enabling more objective and balanced recommendations
- Knowledge transfer: Internal teams benefit from proven best practices and modern architectural approaches
- Flexibility and scalability: Receive support precisely when architectural expertise is most critical – whether at the start of a transformation, during an M&A integration, or when selecting new systems
Typical Use Cases
Fractional Enterprise Architects are most valuable during key strategic moments:
- Digital transformation: Guiding the definition of target architectures that enable new business models and digital services
- Solution evaluation: Supporting the selection of platforms such as ERP, CRM, commerce, or data & AI solutions – neutral, vendor-independent, and always aligned with the overall architecture
- Cloud and data strategies: Designing scalable and secure platforms that can sustain future innovation
- Legacy modernization: Gradually replacing outdated systems, defining a clear roadmap, and overseeing implementation
- M&A scenarios: Integrating system landscapes after mergers or acquisitions – without compromising business continuity
Conclusion
Fractional Enterprise Architects are not a replacement for internal teams – they’re a strategic amplifier. They bring seasoned architects into play exactly when needed: flexible, independent, and focused on sustainable impact.
This model is particularly attractive for Swiss SMEs and mid-sized companies because it provides top-level expertise without the fixed cost of a full-time position. This model enables digital transformation, solution evaluations, and modernization initiatives to be executed efficiently with long-term success in mind.
With diselva, organizations gain access to a network of experienced architects who provide on-demand support – precisely when it matters most.