What is the purpose of an enterprise architecture (EA) in IT management?

• A. To manage day-to-day help desk requests.
• B. To provide a blueprint linking business strategy to IT capabilities and technology standards.
• C. To store all data in the cloud.
• D. To optimize hardware procurement.

Answer: (B)

An enterprise architecture provides a blueprint that connects what the business aims to achieve with the IT capabilities and technology standards that enable it. It describes current and target architectures across domains like business processes, information, applications, and technology, and it lays out roadmaps, reference models, and governance to guide decisions. This alignment ensures IT investments and projects directly support strategic objectives, reduces duplication and complexity, and helps manage change and risk as the organization evolves.

Day-to-day help desk work is IT operations focused on immediate support, not the strategic alignment EA provides. Storing all data in the cloud is a data/cloud strategy concern, not the overarching architectural blueprint. Optimizing hardware procurement is a procurement/asset management activity, not the strategic framework that links business goals to IT capabilities.