What Does a Solutions Architect Do? Roles and Responsibilities

25 Dic What Does a Solutions Architect Do? Roles and Responsibilities

Many large systems—satellites, vehicles, robotics, medical devices, and more—have both cyber-physical and large-scale IT elements. In practice, the Solution Architect role is typically filled by a small team rather than one individual. As a result, our Client has received a responsive and user-friendly web-based QMS and easily integrated it into customer’s services. In addition, the processes became digitized and transparent, with improved usability for all parties. Both functional and non-functional requirements are written down in a project specification. For example, a travel provider like Booking.com wants to create an app to let customers book flights, hotels, and cabs from mobile devices.

This definition may seem vague and generic, but only because customers’ problems are different, so they demand different solutions, usually with a unique approach. A solution architect will help to fill the communication gap between technical and non-technical specialists. Also, by collaborating with the project management team, solution architects cover the risks of product misalignment with stakeholder requirements and ensure that the solution fits the defined purpose. All software projects have to meet a number of non-functional requirements that describe the characteristics of the system. The solution architect’s role is to analyze all non-functional requirements and ensure that further product engineering will meet them.

Find Out Which IT Architecture Role is For You with Side-by-Side Comparison

The solution architect works with the development team to create and integrate information and computing systems that meet specific needs. In other words, architect duties are connected with integrating software and hardware. The solution architecture was designed considering all the business requirements.

• When it comes to building from scratch, changing, or upgrading your software solution – the earlier, the better.
• Project scope is a part of software documentation that defines specific goals, tasks, features, and functions.
• Software architects may also be engaged in the design of the architecture of the hardware environment.
• An architect must be capable of analyzing and identifying potential short and long-term risks that may cause technical issues and impede business operations in the future.
• Securing the expertise of a solutions architect on your team, whether internally or through a development partner, guarantees a host of undeniable benefits.
• They create a technical vision first to show how the software would fulfill the needs of the business.

So, having one or more credentials proves the expert’s proficiency in specific skills. Besides that, it’s important that solution architects consider the project from a long-term perspective and understand that the solution might need to scale and adapt to possible changes in the future. So, being the one who knows the ultimate target, they guide the development process accordingly. While a solution architect doesn’t directly get involved in project management, accounting for deadlines and given resources is inevitable. Solution architects must be able to make decisions about which solutions are advantageous and which are worthless in a given situation. They must be focused on business results and understand how to achieve them according to the given timeframes and resources.

Defining and Communicating Architecture Vision

A solution architect must be knowledgeable in both technical and business aspects, and work closely with stakeholders to understand their requirements and constraints. They are responsible for defining the scope, identifying potential opportunities, and selecting appropriate technologies and platforms to achieve the desired outcomes. Considering that this role entails negotiating with stakeholders, understanding the needs of all parties, managing risks, and product delivery, the lack of communication skills can create a real bottleneck. The position requires working closely with enterprise and software architects, business analysts, and project teams.

You can consult the mobile app development company professionals for the same. We now anticipate that you have answers to all the pertinent questions regarding – What is a solutions architect and more. We are a leading mobile app development company and can assist all-scale businesses with all app development services.

Lead Architect

No matter how big or small the business, everyone needs a Solutions Architect in their corner to put a good plan into action. We are not selling the product, we are providing them the best solutions they can use to solve their problems. For me, I come in there, understand their problem, and have those big conversations. We still need to collaborate and integrate with other vendors, at the end of the day. But our aim is to make sure that who we’re talking to has the best solution and we are there every step of the way in that decision-making process.

It’s not really easy to find and hire a well-matching solution architect, as the market demand for accomplished specialists is enormous. If you want to hire an in-house member, the search process will take a while as you have limited access to professionals in your area. However, if you are open to new opportunities and can consider hiring a remote team member, you will increase your chances of hiring the right person.

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They must also be versed in architectural principles, frameworks, and software design. The Solution Architect salary fluctuates widely, influenced by factors such as geographic location, industry, years of experience, and the complexity of the projects they undertake. The ability to analyze and solve problems is at the it consulting rates and fees heart of a Solutions Architect’s role. They must foresee potential challenges, devise effective solutions, and adapt quickly to changes to ensure the smooth execution of projects. We are immersed in an era where a solid software infrastructure forms the bedrock of business survival and expansion in today’s market.

Solutions architects will use various tools to develop their solutions and design IT infrastructure. The LeanIX EAM is one tool used by solutions architects to help with application modernization and cloud migration. A solutions architect works with an organization to understand their problems and provide various solutions to change or improve architecture to alleviate the issue. They play a central role in an organization’s efforts to introduce and successfully implement new technology solutions. They will work directly with EAs, TAs, business architects, etc. to achieve future state architecture.

Q: What would your recommendation be to anyone looking to pursue a career as a Solutions Architect?

A senior architect is a role that has a high level of experience and expertise in solution architecture, and is recognized as an authority and a leader in the field. A senior architect provides strategic direction and guidance for the solution architecture practice, as well as the architecture standards and frameworks. A senior architect also participates in complex and critical projects, and provides consultation and advice to other architects and stakeholders.

Leveraging their deep understanding of the organization’s technology stack, they design solutions that meet business needs while fitting into the overall enterprise architecture. They bridge the gap between strategy (the realm of the Enterprise Architect) and implementation (the domain of the Technical Architect). Historically, solution architecture has focused on functional (i.e., what the system should do) and non-functional (such as performance, availability, recoverability, integrity and security) requirements. On a day-to-day level, that means solutions architects might do anything from recommending tools to teams to analyzing a project lifecycle for any inefficiencies.

AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud: What’s the difference?

The SA lays out the architecture for the overall solution whereas the DL converts that architecture into detailed design. One approach to getting started as a SA is to become a DL and work towards the additional skills that a SA possesses. Most SAs have that ability to give some of their work to DLs looking to step up. It is this conversion part of the role – the role of the SA -that most often is underestimated in its complexity. Just as the ability of the Functional Analyst to create a requirements document is one part science and wrote procedure so is the creation of the architecture. Creating effective architectures to create a solution requires the careful balance of dozens of development concepts ranging from “Keep it Simple Stupid” to “Fail to Safe”.

In addition to research on technologies and approaches critical to the architecture, there is often a review of patterns that might be useful to the architecture. Patterns are previously described and validated approaches that can be used to create portions of the solution. Patterns are released through research and can come from places such as Microsoft’s software development libraries.

Everything you need for quick time-to-value and long-term success through EA. Uncover the value of a successful EA practice, and how that translates to your organization. In many cases, the business will not recognize the full extent of the challenge. It is the SA’s responsibility to set engagement objectives and scope, develop work plans and coordinate activities across multiple project workstreams. The overall need for SAs will continue to increase as the problems that the SMEs present are more complex and thus they require more complex solutions.