The Misconception of Cloud Architecture
For decades, IT architecture has been narrowly defined by evolving software programming patterns—object-oriented design, client-server, 2-tier to 3-tier, service-oriented, and microservices. Similarly, in today’s IT landscape, cloud architecture certifications—whether for Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud—are marketed as the pinnacle of enterprise architecture. But here’s the hard truth: cloud architecture is not enterprise architecture.
Just as bricks, steel, and cement are the materials of construction, cloud platforms are the materials of IT implementation. No one calls a civil architect a “Tata Steel Architect” or “Lafarge Cement Architect.” Their role is to focus on the blueprint, not the materials used to execute it.
Similarly, real IT architecture is about managing complexity, aligning technology with business goals, and creating systems that evolve over time—not merely configuring cloud services.
This blog explores why cloud certifications fall short of true architecture and how the ICMG Product Anatomy Model defines what real architecture entails.
What Cloud Certifications Cover
Cloud certifications like Azure Architect or AWS Solutions Architect primarily focus on:
Cloud Service Expertise:
Mastery of compute, storage, networking, and managed services.
Deployment Patterns:
Understanding scalable, reliable, and secure deployment within a specific cloud ecosystem.
Tool-Specific Skills:
Implementing automation, cost optimization, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
While these skills are essential for cloud practitioners, they represent only the Technology/Components Perspective and touch on the Implementation Perspective—leaving much of the broader architecture untouched.
The Core Problem: Implementation vs. Architecture
Cloud Certifications Are Tool-Centric
Certifications emphasize vendor-specific capabilities, limiting architects to reactive decisions rather than proactive strategies.
They focus on how to configure tools (e.g., AWS S3 or Azure Functions) instead of how to align systems with business needs.
Architecture Requires a Unified Anatomy
Real architecture is not a set of isolated components—it’s a cohesive blueprint that connects strategy, processes, systems, and operations. Using the ICMG Product Anatomy Model, true architecture integrates six perspectives:
Goals/Strategy Perspective: Align systems with business goals, like improving customer satisfaction or enabling faster product launches.
Business/Process Perspective: Map workflows like order processing, compliance tracking, or supply chain management to IT systems.
System/Models Perspective: Design systems to integrate across cloud services, APIs, and on-premise platforms.
Technology/Components Perspective: Select cloud tools (AWS RDS, Azure Kubernetes) that fit into the larger design.