There are also several certificates recommended solution architects achieve before applying for the position. Alternatively, a software architect will be involved in the build phase of the project. Their job is to define and document software structures based on known functional and non-functional requirements. This will enable software engineers to produce the solution as defined, reviewed, and approved by the solution architect.
A new product never works alone; it should go well with the current enterprise architecture that already exists in the company. So, architects choose the best suitable software that can perform when with the existing ecosystem. Now, we will know what a solution architect does and his roles and responsibilities before and throughout the development process. A solution architect helps the development team understand the project’s vision and plays an important role all through the complete system development lifecycle. Solutions Architects evaluate the business needs of an organisation and determine how technology can be used to deliver or support solutions. They create detailed plans and budgets for IT architecture (hardware and software) and then manage the implementation of those plans.
Solutions Architect Vs. Enterprise Architect Vs. Technical Architect
After developing a strategic technical vision of the product, the solution architect is involved in estimating the budget and presenting it to the stakeholders. Once everything is agreed upon, he or she monitors the process of development and keeps stakeholders informed about the progress. Since we’ve discussed high-level goals of solution architecture adoption, let’s break them down into specific responsibilities and underlying skillsets.
The position requires working closely with enterprise and software architects, business analysts, and project teams. So, an experienced solution architect should be able to listen, advise, empathize, and explain. Application solutions architects work closely with mobile app developers and other stakeholders to ensure timely project delivery. Businesses who need assistance with mobile app development can hire an application solutions architect. One of the most important challenges of software product development is meeting the stakeholders’ requirements. Usually, a product has a number of stakeholders that are both technical and non-technical specialists.
Develop career skills and credentials to stand out
If you implement a single tech module that is proven to be working in similar contexts, you don’t need a solution architect. Once software engineering projects grow more complicated and entail a bigger number of processes and risks, it’s better to consider solution architecture consulting services. The starting point is generally being the only person on a very small, and sometimes insignificant project. The project may be small enough that a single person may fill every role – including the role of solution architect. A solutions architect should hold the caliber to communicate effectively with project managers, stakeholders, software vendors, and iOS and android developers in the software development process. These professionals specialize in designing and implementing security solutions to protect an organization’s data and systems.
Solution architects make sure the product meets business requirements, will be delivered on time and within budget. Cleveroad is a professional software development company that helps startups, SMBs, and enterprises deliver custom digital solutions that improve their performance and customer experience. Solution architects position appeared in сompanies that create software on an industrial scale.
Solution Architect Job Description
Finally, a solution architect participates in making the most crucial technical decision that may impact the project’s ultimate results (for example, technology stack and integration with third-party systems). This article will provide solutions architect job description, how their role is different from other similar positions, and what kind of projects require input from these specialists. The decision to hire a Solution Architect is a pivotal one that businesses often grapple with. Each role is distinct yet interdependent, creating a harmonious trinity that guides an organization’s technology strategy from vision to execution. As we’ve listed a solution architect’s responsibilities, it would now be profitable to outline the essential skills required for a solution architect.
Every project has a constraint that keeps varying from one type of project to the other. The most common project constraints incorporate – Money, time, risk, limitation, and licensing. Since The Open Group does not recognize a unique Solution Architect role, a relevant link for these mentioned artifacts can be to the Business and Systems Analyst roles. It is also worth noting that The Open Group’s definition of Solution Architecture is broader than Forrester’s (see aforementioned definition). Understanding these scenarios’ complexity and potential impact makes it clear why and when an organization might need to hire an IT Solution Architect.
Technical background and experience
Solution architecture is focused on details and solution technologies to address a specific business problem. They are mediators between enterprise architecture (global business perspective) and software architecture (dealing with tech issues). These people work in big organizations that maintain complex hardware infrastructure. Solution architecture is usually implemented as a part of enterprise architecture. The latter determines what business structure, processes, and operations allow a company to meet its strategic objectives. Alternatively, we may say that enterprise architecture defines how a company’s business strategy can be executed most efficiently.
They play a critical role in ensuring that technology solutions meet the needs of the organization and contribute to its success. Broadly speaking, a solution architect’s task is to evaluate all business requirements and come up with solutions in the form of products or services. SAs are not only in charge of finding answers but also of actively leading the technical vision to success. A solution architect’s role differs from enterprise architects and technical architects.
Key Processes in Solution Architecture
This sample job post will introduce your organization’s culture and values, while helping potential candidates understand how they’ll contribute from Day 1. They tend to be investigative individuals, which means they’re intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive. Some of them are also enterprising, meaning they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic.
- A well-planned solution architecture helps the team working on a project to meet deadlines, act on the budget, and create a solution according to previously agreed customer requirements.
- Some non-functional needs also exist that point out how the software performs a specific action.
- Software architecture and systems integrated into it are numerous details that work together.
- A new product never works alone; it should go well with the current enterprise architecture that already exists in the company.
- Also, real customer exposure helped to condition my brain to real-life applications.
Although solutions architects are not directly involved in project development, they still need to ensure that project resources are being used efficiently and impactfully. They should be business-minded and capable of identifying the most effective solution at every turn for every part of the architecture. It is their responsibility to focus on business goals, including hiring new people, and understand how to achieve them in the set timeframe and within the given budget. Being able to communicate effectively with stakeholders, project managers, developers, and software vendors involved in the software development process is essential for a solutions architect. As an architect has a central role in any project and leads every team on it, ineffective communication can lead to big bottlenecks.
When Do Companies Need a Solution Architect?
It’s a well-recognized set of qualifications that consists of 5 different levels to fit different experiences and seniority levels. This exam will be suitable not only for IT solution architects but also for people who want to obtain managerial positions in the IT field. As the process is always heavy on the budget and highly risky, every company should have an architect to implement new solutions and scale them successfully. This specialist can be introduced to a company’s enterprise structure through software architecture consulting services. Although each of our cases is unique, we adapt to the client’s business needs and financial capabilities. If you want to reinforce existing business processes, our Solution Architects will eagerly assist you in implementing digital technology across the company.
In summary, these savvy employees must have an equally good understanding of how an enterprise runs and how to address various issues by adroitly leveraging technologies. No, solution architects do not require coding since solution architect performance goals many IT architects will already have experience with languages and Linux systems. Most of the time in their role they will analyze and lead software engineers and application architects to complete their projects.
But if you aim at enterprise-level solutions or want to grow your existing product, you may want an IT solution architect to lead the process. Companies look for people who perform solutions architect duties only when their projects become more complex and challenging. Certifications are aimed to confirm the skills and expertise of solution architects.
