Solutions Architect

A Solutions Architect is a practitioner in the field of Solution Architecture. This role title has a wider meaning in relation to solving problems, but is more often used in the narrower domain of Technical architecture - the context for the remainder of this definition. In this context, the Solutions Architect is a very experienced architect with cross-domain, cross-functional and cross-industry expertise. He/she outlines solution architecture descriptions, then monitors and governs their implementation.

This role requires knowledge and skills that are both broad and deep. To be effective the Solutions Architect must have experience on multiple Hardware and Software Environments and be comfortable with complex heterogeneous systems environments. The Solutions Architect is often a highly seasoned senior technocrat who has lead multiple projects through the Software development process or Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), and has usually performed in a variety of different roles in that life cycle. Needed also is an uncanny ability to share and communicate ideas both verbally and in writing to executive staff, business sponsors, and technical resources in clear concise language that is the parlance of each group.

A practitioner of Solution Architecture, Systems engineering and Software engineering processes, the Solutions Architect is the person who organizes the development effort of a systems solution. The Solutions Architect is responsible for the development of the overall vision that underlies the projected solution and transforms that vision through execution into the solution. The Solution Architect becomes involved with a project at the time of inception and is involved in the Functional analysis (FA) of developing the initial requirements. They then remain involved throughout the balance of the project.

The Solutions Architect is an expert in many categories. They must have hands-on experience in multiple industries and across several disciplines. They must have a mastery of various hardware platforms including mainframes, distributed platforms, desktops, and mobile devices. Akin to that they must also possess skill and understanding of a variety of Operating Systems including mainframe systems; (MVS,VM,zOS), Midrange systems; OS/400, Primos, VMS, a variety of Unix flavors; Solarix, AIX, HP-UX, System V, Linux, Desktop; Windows, Apple OS, Linux, DOS and mobile platforms; Windows CE, Palm OS etc. A broad and deep understanding of Databases is also essential with knowledge of Relational Databases; Oracle, Sybase, DB2 as well as flat file systems, and semi-flat file system; ISAM or VSAM.

Solutions Architects decide which technologies to use. They work very closely with developers to ensure proper implementation. They are the link between the needs of the organization and the developers.

The Solutions Architect has several essential duties and responsibilities usually including the following:

Business Planning and General Management

· Takes ownership of a particular solution offering.· Develops and executes the solution strategy and business plan to support the growth of the solution offering.· Take responsibility in shaping, designing, and planning specific service lines within solution area.· Spearheads the marketing and promotion of solution area within and outside of organization.

ubject Matter Expertise

· Acts as a visionary and strategist related to solution area.· Survey landscape and market for solution insights, direction, vendors and methodologies.· Provides subject matter expertise to identify and translate system requirements into software architecture and design documentation. The SA ensures the quality development of internal and external, client-oriented documentation, evolving into recommended workable solutions to the organization.· Actively seeks out speaking engagements at trade conferences and authorship opportunities in trade publications.

Business Development

· Assists Marketing Departments to develop marketing materials and positioning strategies for solution area in conjunction with overall marketing message framework.· Assists in the business development life cycle by serving as a solution Subject Matter Expert (SME) in order to assist in the identification and qualification of business development opportunities.· Manages sales and marketing activities for the service offering.· In conjunction with the Channel Development team, develop and maintain vendor relationships within the solution offering.

Methodology and Quality Assurance

· Leads development of formalized solution methodologies.· Builds and maintains repository of deliverables, methodologies and business development documents.· Interface and coordinate tasks with internal and external technical resources. Collaborates with Project Managers and technical directors to provision estimates, develop the overall implementation solution plan, and serve as a lead, as required, in the implementation of an engagement overseeing the installation, customization, and integration efforts. Sometimes the Solutions Architect will develop code and related documentation in accordance with the needs of the project at hand. The Solutions Architect also develops Key performance indicators (KPI's) in order to provide accurate reports on development progress. The Solutions Architect utilizes these reports to lead Governance meetings with executive staff and sponsors.· May oversee aspects of the project life cycle, from the initial kickoff through the requirements analysis, design and implementation phases for projects within solution area. The SA is responsible for ensuring that applications meet the functional, performance, cost constraint and technical operations requirements as established by the design documentation.· Provides highest level of quality assurance for services within solution area. The Solutions Architect is responsible for developing or overseeing the development and application of unit tests that provide sufficient coverage to ensure a quality solution.Ensuring that all code is developed according to established procedures and practices, e.g. properly storing code and documentation in software repository and version control system.· Author, or direct the authorship, of white papers to further the insight and thought leadership within the solution area. The SA should strive to develop Best practice; processes, solutions and components that with incremental effort could be re-used across current and future projects.

Work Force Management, Supervision and Mentoring

· Manages a small team of direct reports who are responsible for driving service lines within the solution area.· Assists staffing coordinators in defining project team requirements for projects within solution area.· Work with Delivery Services Director in defining overall recruiting needs and expertise within solution area.· Work with Director of Delivery Services to establish a professional development needs for practitioners of solution area.· Mentor and guide more junior technical resources

ee also

* [http://www.solutionsarchitect.co.uk/articles/is_bpm.html Solution Architect Magazine] , solutionsarchitect.com

References

* [http://www.developer.com/mgmt/article.php/3504496 Anatomy of a Software Development Role: Solution Architect] , developer.com