What Is a Solutions Architect? How to Become One, Salary, Skills

You make a good point that to find a solution architecture function to see what’s best for the building you’ll need technology assessment and comparison. This is why it’s good to hire an architect since they can either do that before constriction solution architect meaning or even check a building before adding on to it. If a company is not sure whether their building is structurally sound, it would be good to hire a property condition assessment service as well to see what they need to work on.

  • Mastery of UML allows quicker, easier, and better communication with the DLs and the developers.
  • A solution architect must both be able to analyze the way various business processes work together and think of a strategy that could be implemented under the current conditions.
  • MapReduce programming model will be implemented for managing data processing and transformation.
  • After the stakeholders have agreed on the project, the solutions architect is responsible for monitoring the process and keeping stakeholders updated and informed on the progress.
  • The starting point is generally being the only person on a very small, and sometimes insignificant project.

Architects are also responsible for the project context from the very beginning to the current moment. They need to remember all the details of the projects and ideas to validate and approve them on time. 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. So, this specialist should be able to clearly explain, understand everyone’s point of view, listen, advise, and influence. As the name suggests, a technical architect focuses on engineering aspects of architecture and usually does not make financial or strategic decisions, unlike infrastructure or enterprise architects.

Enterprise Architecture Frameworks: Documenting Your Roadmap to Change

They describe the structure, characteristics, behavior, and other aspects of the software to project stakeholders. Solution architects additionally define features, phases, and solution requirements. They provide specifications according to which the solution is defined, managed, and delivered. 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. Solution architecture can be introduced to the corporate structure by technology consulting organizations if the process of integrating new software systems isn’t systematic.

solution architect meaning

Moreover, the salary is also based on years of experience, technical skills, seniority, and soft skills as well. Our software development services include web and mobile solutions development, product engineering, UI/UX design, as well as QA and testing. Additionally, we offer comprehensive IT consulting and outstaffing services like dedicated teams. Here at Intellectsoft, we have delivered over 600 digital solutions of different types and complexity to businesses, from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises like Mitsubishi, Harley Davidson, Melco, Intel, and many others.

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Another approach to becoming a SA is to become a distinguished Development Lead (DL). The SA skill set is slightly broader and requires a bit more finesse, however, fundamentally the same. 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.

solution architect meaning

If you want to catch all details quickly, check out our video about a solution architect role. Most SAs have grown up in the software development world and have learned dozens of tools designed to help them be more productive. One of the ways to demonstrate an interest in the SA role, no matter what role you may currently be filling is to invest time in learning patterns. Because patterns form the basic building blocks of nearly https://www.globalcloudteam.com/ every architecture, learning patterns makes it far easier to identify where they can be helpful. Also, reading books and articles on different architecture perspectives and new development techniques can broaden your point of view and allow you to see opportunities to create your own small sections of the solution. It is this conversion part of the role – the role of the SA -that most often is underestimated in its complexity.

What is the average salary of an IT solution architect?

The distributed software of the global world requires more effort on the part of the SA and increases their need. It’s not like winning the lottery where one day your name is drawn out of the proverbial hat. A person may find their way to this coveted role within only a few years of professional experience but more frequently it takes a dozen or more years to consistently find themselves in this role. Whether an organization needs all three types of architects depends on the company size and the complexity of its infrastructure. If you do not need to integrate new software and modules regularly, you can use the solution system’s consulting service. If you only have one project that will not take very long to work on, you also do not need a solution architect.

In terms of organization structure, would you think Solution Architecture team should be under Enterprise Architecture or as a standalone unit in par with Enterprise Architecture? Developer.com content and product recommendations are editorially independent. Download this poster to learn more about core competencies of IT architecture and how to become a Solution Architect. Clients receive 24/7 access to proven management and technology research, expert advice, benchmarks, diagnostics and more.

What is a software or technical architect?

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. Over the past decade, digital trends like cloud computing and service-oriented applications have led to new market opportunities across all industries. However, these changes also come with unique challenges and add complexity to the digital landscape of an organization. When it comes to building from scratch, changing, or upgrading your software solution – the earlier, the better.

solution architect meaning

From a bird-eye view, solution architects can be seen as the link between enterprise architects and technical architects as they’re trying to find the right IT answer to a specific business riddle. A solution architecture (SA) is an architectural description of a specific solution. SAs combine guidance from different enterprise architecture viewpoints (business, information and technical), as well as from the enterprise solution architecture (ESA). The practice of solution architecture becomes more granular than enterprise architecture and takes into account decisions made at the enterprise architecture level.

Why should I pursue a career as a solutions architect?

Their primary focus is on making technical decisions regarding the solution and how they impact the business outcomes. The rest of the development team then uses the information to implement the solution. Solution architects are in charge of designing, describing, and maintaining the solution engineering concerning a specific business problem. They lead and introduce the overall technical vision for a particular solution. They find the best tech solutions among all possible to solve the existing business problems.

solution architect meaning

Solution architecture provides the ground for software development projects by tailoring IT solutions to specific business needs and defining their functional requirements and stages of implementation. It is comprised of many subprocesses that draw guidance from various enterprise architecture viewpoints. It is an architectural description of a specific solution based on predefined processes and best practices. As the initial step for creating new enterprise solutions, it ensures that every solution meets the business requirements and fits into the enterprise architecture as a whole. A solution architect is responsible for designing and implementing solutions to complex business problems.

How Enterprise Architects Close the Gap between Technology and Business

Solution architects may also spend time researching and evaluating new technologies, tools, and methodologies. They may read industry publications, attend conferences and webinars, and participate in online communities to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices. Additionally, solution architects may be responsible for training and mentoring junior staff members, sharing their knowledge and expertise with others on their team. A solution architect is responsible for the design, development, and evolution of the architectural solution of a product or ecosystem of a company’s products. The developed solution should guarantee compatibility with existing business logic and products. A good and well-considered architecture is essential for the effective development of any software.

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