Conclusion from working with Enterprise Architecture
Depending on who you ask and where, you will get different answers.
How many architects are needed to change a light-bulb?
I would say it depends on the situation. ........ So today, we don't need any architects at all to change a light-bulb.
A pragmatic apparoch for Masterdata management
A classic principle is that information should only be stored in place place, but if you have a scattered landscape may it be hard to reach this goal.
Why bother with business information management?
If your customer have more knowledge than you, you are not in a good position. If he or she think that you should know but you don't, then you have a serious issue.
Pre-requsite for Enterprise Architecture
But, the truth is that EA is not a silver bullet that magically will save your organization in difficult times when there is a need to change. Architecture will help you, but there are some prerequisites that need to be in place.