Creating Virtual Enterprises to Strengthen IT Architects’s Training

Due to the increasing importance of IT technologies in the organizations’ operation, IT related jobs have become highly demanded. That is the case of IT architects, who are responsible for aligning the business needs and motivations with the technology solutions that support company functions. However, the offer of qualified IT architects is not enough to cover the demand. This happens mainly because the training needed to acquire the technology, business, communications, and management skills required for the role is long and difficult to get. This paper describes the creation of virtual enterprises as a tool for facilitating the training of IT architects. These virtual enterprises imitate the real challenges that an IT architect may confront in real life projects, thus helping the trainees acquire the desired experience and expertise.