Enterprise Architecture
- Business and IT alignment strategies
- Digital transformation and innovation roadmaps
- Tailored TOGAF and tool-based practice setup
Enterprise architecture for transformation that has to work.
Independent enterprise and solution architect, and advisor to leadership teams. I help design AI-augmented, sovereign-cloud and transformation programmes that survive contact with delivery — from the target picture down to the solution that gets built.
How I help
Services
Six areas, one common thread: architecture that ties strategy to what the delivery teams can actually build and run.
AI-Augmented Architecture
- Agentic system design
- GraphRAG patterns and GenAI vendor selection
- Governance tooling that keeps AI-era design suites consistent as they grow
Sovereign & Regulated Cloud
- Sovereign-cloud architecture for KRITIS and regulated industries
- Architectural assessments and optimisation
- Solution architecture for complex business requirements
Solution Architecture
- Design of scalable, high-performance applications
- Cloud-native architectures and microservices
- System integration and process automation
Cloud Operating Models
- Service design and FinOps
- Platform engineering setup
- Managed-service portfolios for hyperscaler or internal platforms
Operating Model & C-suite Advisory
- Technical roadmaps and IT strategy
- Architectural assessments and optimisation
- Independent vendor selection
James O’Brien
About
Twenty-six years as an enterprise and software architect, from start-ups to tier-1 enterprises. I design systems and programmes that are robust, scalable and tied to a business goal — and that still make sense once the first delivery team gets its hands on them.
My work sits between the boardroom and the engineering floor: translating strategy into architectures teams can build, and feeding what delivery learns back into the roadmap.
At a glance
- Independent — no vendor or product affiliation
- TOGAF and Open Group Certified Architect (OpenCA Level 3)
- Regulated and KRITIS environments; sovereign and hyperscaler cloud
- Working languages: English and German
- Based in Berlin; engagements across DACH, UKI and MEA
Why work with me
How I work
Both sides of the table
Business needs and technical constraints in one conversation, so the architecture serves the outcome rather than the diagram.
Fitted, not templated
Every organisation is different. I work closely with your teams so the design matches your goals, your people and your existing estate.
From decision to delivery
Support from the first assessment through to hand-over, so the transition from planning to execution is a continuation, not a restart.
Selected outcomes
A few results from 26 years of architecture work
10B+
Events per day on a near-real-time call-monitoring platform across 36 million subscribers — delivered onsite with the client team in under four months.
3,500
Developers in a microservices Centre of Excellence stood up at a tier-1 US client, anchoring a major renewal.
12
Data centres brought under a single purpose-built cloud management and CI/CD stack for the roll-out of a national telco network.
Contact
Let’s connect
Modernising your enterprise architecture, or scoping an AI or cloud programme? A short call is usually the fastest way to find out whether I can help.