Enterprise architects focus on creating and managing end-to-end solutions that address the company’s critical strategic issues. A solution architect is working closely with a variety of professionals and teams within the company to deliver the ultimate flexible, extensible and workable product. He must know how the architecture of each module of the system is arranged, how each element of the project works, and how everything is interconnected into a single ecosystem. Candidates who want to obtain advanced knowledge can pursue a master’s degree later on.
- A solutions architect is responsible for creating a comprehensive architecture for a software solution and providing strategic direction throughout the development process.
- Note that, unlike EA-related projects, SA is implemented right away and therefore yields quicker results.
- It is this expert who is responsible for creating a strategic plan for implementing technical changes.
- A senior architect provides strategic direction and guidance for the solution architecture practice, as well as the architecture standards and frameworks.
- An enterprise architect needs to have a holistic and systemic view of the organization, as well as the ability to communicate and collaborate with various stakeholders and levels.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren’t so similar. The salary of a solutions architect varies a lot and depends on multiple factors. For example, in the US, an expert can get between $142K – 238K yearly, whereas in Ukraine, a professional with the same qualifications what does solution architect do can get between $68K – 90K per year. Moreover, the salary is also based on years of experience, technical skills, seniority, and soft skills as well. Becoming a solutions architect is not impossible, but the job requires dedication, technical aptitude, and an understanding of business concepts.
Solution Architect – What Does He Do? Complete Guide
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. Solution architecture describes how different components of business, information, and technology architectures are used in a particular solution. As solution architecture is more focused on details and solution technologies to address a specific business problem, it provides a channel between enterprise architecture and technical architecture. An effective approach for companies is combining enterprise architecture activities with solution and technical architecture activities. It also requires clear communication skills and the ability to translate the technical details of the project into simple language that will be easy for non-technical stakeholders to understand.
An extensive comprehension of architectural principles and frameworks such as TOGAF or Zachman is indispensable for a Solutions Architect. They must also possess knowledge of service-oriented architecture (SOA), microservices, and API design. This understanding equips them with the ability to structure and design robust, scalable, and sustainable solutions. Each role is distinct yet interdependent, creating a harmonious trinity https://www.globalcloudteam.com/ that guides an organization’s technology strategy from vision to execution. Skills you need to be a solutions architect include being articulate communicators, creative thinkers, and concrete planners who understand the organization’s vision for productivity and profitability today and tomorrow. We highly recommend you turn to a trusted outsourcing vendor with years of experience hiring software development professionals.
Solutions architect vs project manager
A solution architect is also responsible for the continuous maintenance of a system developed. This person makes sure that there is a secure and stable IT environment for a software solution to work properly. Solution architects also ensure that such a solution will remain relevant in terms of the business value it should deliver. 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.
Since the IT world is changing at a dramatic pace, there has been a lack of consensus when it comes to defining the role of a solution architect. Because just like within the field of enterprise architecture, there’s a level of abstraction that might be hard to grasp from a non-technical perspective. It’s dangerous to assume that hiring an enterprise architect who delegates tasks to development teams can cut out the middleman. The solution architect is absolutely necessary to ensure that solutions are implemented correctly. It’s important to understand that enterprise architects and solution architects are not opposed to each other but form a synergy with technical architects. All three are integral elements when it comes to maximizing the value that a company can generate through the use of technology.
Cybersecurity Challenges in Healthcare Industry
They may also be responsible for managing project budgets, timelines, and resources, ensuring that the solutions they design are delivered on time and within budget. Therefore, solution architects who have experience making broad-ranging and highly impactful software and technology decisions make this a highly sought after group of professionals. Most businesses rely on a deep and wide technology stack that’s interconnected and integrated.
When introducing a new product or system as part of an IT solution, solution architects make sure that it fits into existing information security practices. How the project complies with each regulation is formally documented at the beginning of a project. To get a better idea of what a solution architect does in practice, it’s helpful to look at common solution architecture use cases.
Solutions Architect vs. Enterprise Architect vs. Technical Architect
Solution architecture is oriented on specific business problems of the company and serves to achieve business goals. 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). A lead architect is a role that leads and manages a team of architects, either within a project, a program, or a portfolio.
SA can be seen as a support system that provides structure and reduces the scope of complexity when developing and rolling out new systems and applications. 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. So, an experienced solution architect should be able to listen, advise, empathize, and explain.
What Skills Are Needed to Be a Solutions Architect?
Take our free career test to find out if solution architect is one of your top career matches. Each system is different, driven by the process definition and related workflows designed for fulfilling specific operations. Every application within a larger business process either works independently or interacts with other applications or services as needed to bring value and fulfill requirements.
As the job title implies, this specialist primarily focuses on solution-level decisions and evaluation of their impact on a client’s overarching business objectives and outcomes. An architect is one of the most significant and client-facing roles in the IT industry. Its importance is nonetheless often overlooked or even completely ignored by companies at both ends. Before we dive into the topic, let’s clarify who is a solutions architect in general. They formulate clear guidelines that help manage technical teams and outline the development stages of a project from start to finish. To facilitate the use of an e-commerce website, a solution architect can propose a structure that makes the navigation intuitive and user-friendly (e.g., reducing the number of clicks needed to get from A to B).
Q: What is a Solutions Architect, anyways?
Not surprisingly, developing a target architecture requires an understanding of the entire organization and close collaboration with leaders and stakeholders. Given the holistic view that enterprise architects need to have of a company, their focus on detail is rather limited. That’s why they’re less concerned with the technical side of the IT infrastructure. Usually, companies already have operating systems, an information context, and integration requirements.
