Architecture Change Management encompasses the processes, frameworks, and governance mechanisms for evaluating, approving, and implementing modifications to the enterprise architecture in a controlled manner that balances innovation with stability, minimizes risk, and ensures alignment with organizational objectives.

For technical leaders, Architecture Change Management represents a critical discipline that addresses how architectural evolution occurs within dynamic business environments. Effective implementation requires several interconnected components: change request processes that capture proposed modifications with appropriate justification; impact assessment methodologies evaluating ripple effects across domains; defined governance bodies with authority appropriate to change scope; and transition planning frameworks that coordinate implementation activities. The approach typically differentiates between different change types—from emergency fixes requiring expedited handling to strategic transformations demanding comprehensive analysis. Most mature organizations establish multi-tiered governance models where routine changes follow streamlined paths while significant architectural shifts undergo rigorous evaluation against enterprise principles and roadmaps. Enterprise architects must carefully balance control with agility, developing processes that provide appropriate oversight without creating unnecessary bureaucracy that impedes innovation. Integration with broader organizational change management practices is essential, particularly when architectural changes drive modifications to business processes, organizational structures, or end-user experiences. Technology leaders should ensure architecture change processes incorporate feedback loops to measure outcomes against expected benefits, creating a learning cycle that continuously improves change evaluation capabilities. As organizations adopt more dynamic delivery approaches like Agile and DevOps, architecture change management must evolve toward more iterative models that accommodate continuous evolution while maintaining architectural integrity across incremental changes.