In this paper, Ceri Williams focuses on Value Judgment and the relationship between Enterprise Architect, the information and the personal qualities that enable successful execution of that role.

This white paper is the second in a series that explores the role of judgment in Enterprise Architecture. In particular, it focuses on the relationship between Enterprise Architect, the information and the personal qualities that enable successful execution of that role.

The title is taken from a seminal book by Sir Geoffrey Vickers - The Art of Judgment (Ref [1]) - focused on the types of judgment involved in perceiving the environment and decision making in the shaping of policy.

Architecture and design are decision-centric, human processes that apply human values to information within the context of defi ned objectives. Rational and intuitive decisions are made constantly by individuals and groups. Vickers proposes that as part of an overall Appreciative System, there are three distinct types of decision-making:

• Reality judgment: concerning what is or is not the case;
• Value judgment: concerning what ought or ought not be;
• Instrumental judgment: concerning the best means available to reduce the mismatch between is and ought.

This White Paper focuses on Value Judgment. This type of judgment is constrained by the quality and nature of the Reality Judgment that provides the raw material with which to explore and defi ne what ought to be. Please login to continue reading.