Solutions Architect
The Solutions Architect analyses, designs and develops roadmaps and implementation plans based on a current versus future state solutions architecture. He/She leads and facilitates the solutions architecture governance processes based on the enterprise architecture governance structure and manages exceptions to architectural standards at a solutions level. He assesses near-term needs to establish business priorities, analyses and develop solutions architectural requirements, and ensures alignment of architectural requirements with the IT strategy. He analyses the current architecture to identify weaknesses and identifies opportunities for improvement, and performs ongoing architecture quality review activities. He works in a dynamic and evolving business environment. He is familiar with enterprise architecture methodologies and frameworks, architecture modelling tools, as well as product development methodologies. He is knowledgeable about digital product development of industrial Internet of Things, applications and web services. He is also familiar with international telecommunications standards and protocols. The Solutions Architect is recognised as the most experienced and knowledgeable resources within the field in the organisation. He collaborates with other departments on architecting solutions design, and integrating diverse needs and perspectives to develop fresh ideas and solutions. He possesses strong leadership and communication abilities, is creative and innovative in nature, and is able to influence key stakeholders.
What Does a Solutions Architect Do?
Key Responsibilities & Tasks
Formulate the organisation’s architecture strategy, roadmap, standards, policies and procedures, and governance
- Lead and coordinate the domain technical and business discussions
- Participate in ecosystem strategy development, environment analyses and opportunity identification
- Analyse, design and develop roadmaps and implementation plans based on a current versus future state
- Design standard configurations and patterns
- Lead and facilitate the solutions architecture governance process based on the enterprise architecture governance structure
- Manage exceptions to architectural standards at a solutions level
- Review and approve recommendations to solutions architectural standards
Develop architecture requirements and maintain oversight
- Analyse and develop solutions architectural requirements
- Align architectural requirements with IT strategy
- Assess near-term needs to establish business priorities
- Ensure compatibility with existing solutions, infrastructure, services and strategic requirements
- Coordinate architecture implementation and modification activities
- Assist in post-implementation and continuous improvement efforts to enhance performance and provide increased functionality
- Ensure conceptual completeness of the technical solution
Manage quality and continuous improvement of architecture
- Analyse the current architecture to identify weaknesses and develop opportunities for improvement
- Identify and propose variances to the architecture to accommodate project needs
- Perform ongoing architecture quality review activities
Research emerging technologies
- Consults with clients and IT teams on solutions architecture
- Analyses cost versus benefits, risks, impact and technology priorities
- Provide recommendations on emerging technology to senior management
- Develop communication plans for solutions architecture
- Lead the research and evaluation of emerging technology, industry and market trends to assist in project development
- Identify organisational requirements for resources
Drive implementation of solutions architecture
- Formulate the solutions viewpoint in which business, information and technology viewpoints are synthesised into solutions
- Design and lead the implementation of the solution architecture
- Define repeatable rules for the implementation of solutions in repeatable or reusable ways
Do You Have the Skills for This Role?
A Solutions Architect needs 5 core competencies. Here's what's required and at what level.
Must-Have Skills (Advanced)
Decision Making
AdvancedThinking Critically
Developing People
AdvancedInteracting with Others
Supporting Skills
Collaboration
IntermediateInteracting with Others
Problem Solving
IntermediateThinking Critically
Self Management
IntermediateStaying Relevant
SkillsFuture Skill Levels
3 levelsBasic
Recognise and understand fundamental concepts. Apply skills in routine situations with guidance.
Intermediate
Apply skills in varied situations independently. Analyse problems and adapt approaches as needed.
Advanced
Lead and innovate in complex situations. Evaluate strategies, guide teams, and drive improvements.
Technical Skills & Competencies (TSC) Levels
6 levelsFollow
Carry out routine tasks under close supervision. Follow established procedures and guidelines.
Assist
Perform tasks with some independence. Assist in non-routine situations and apply established techniques.
Apply
Apply skills and knowledge independently in varied situations. Analyse problems and adapt approaches.
Analyse
Analyse complex situations and develop solutions. Guide and mentor junior colleagues.
Strategise
Set strategic direction and drive innovation. Evaluate trade-offs and make high-impact decisions.
Transform
Lead industry transformation. Establish standards, shape policy, and provide expert advisory.
Technical Skills & Competencies
A Solutions Architect requires 32 technical skills at specific proficiency levels.
Agile Software Development
Level 5Development and Implementation
Lead Agile software development processes and ensure end-to-end management of processes for seamless development, deployment and delivery of software applications
Applications Integration
Level 5Development and Implementation
Establish a business case for application integration and introduce new middleware tools and methodologies to enable both intra- and inter-enterprise application integration
Business Innovation
Level 5Business and Project Management
Prioritise business innovation opportunities and design digital architectures and processes to facilitate the creation of an innovative business environment
Business Needs Analysis
Level 5Business and Project Management
Lead comprehensive analysis to understand underlying drivers and present a compelling business case for proposed IT solutions
Business Process Re-engineering
Level 5Business and Project Management
Establish a business process re-engineering strategy, determining the processes to be re-engineered and significantly redefining process flows
Business Requirements Mapping
Level 5Business and Project Management
Define overall strategies, objectives and priorities to underscore business requirement mapping activities and assess alignment between solutions, requirements and eventual outcomes
Business Risk Management
Level 5Business and Project Management
Critically evaluate, review and drive organisation-wide risk mitigation and management initiatives
Change Management
Level 5Business and Project Management
Develop business readiness plan and direct business activities, processes and resources to facilitate changes and transitions, and plan change control procedures for IT initiatives
Data Visualisation
Level 5Development and Implementation
Establish an effective data visualisation architecture and design intelligent and adaptable displays employing optimal delivery modes, mechanisms and timings
Embedded Systems Interface Design
Level 5Design and Architecture
Guide the design of sensor networks and the associated embedded systems interfaces, and verify the viability of the designed interfaces
Enterprise Architecture
Level 5Design and Architecture
Design business architecture blueprint and frameworks to achieve the desired future state, and attain enterprise resources to facilitate the transition
Organisational Analysis
Level 5Strategy Planning and Implementation
Lead the conduct of functional analysis and recommending areas for enhancement in functional operations
Partnership Management
Level 5Stakeholder and Contract Management
Evaluate and drive inter-organisational initiatives, and negotiate strategic information exchange with key partners
Performance Management
Level 5Operations and User Support
Evaluate and integrate new mechanisms and technology, and leverage analytics to optimise performance data, and determine implications of performance levels reported
Process Improvement and Optimisation
Level 5Business and Project Management
Devise strategies for the adoption of improvements and optimisation of processes
Project Management
Level 5Business and Project Management
Lead end-to-end management of large programmes or multiple projects concurrently, coordinating project interdependencies
Software Design
Level 5Design and Architecture
Translate complex software ideas and concepts into a design blueprint and establish key design principles and methodologies
Solution Architecture
Level 5Design and Architecture
Establish frameworks and determine relevant tools and techniques to guide the development IT solutions
Stakeholder Management
Level 5Stakeholder and Contract Management
Define a strategic stakeholder management roadmap, and lead critical discussions and negotiations, addressing escalated issues or problems encountered
System Integration
Level 5Development and Implementation
Design a feasible integration roadmap, monitor system integration outcomes and drive enhancements to integration plans
Business Agility
Level 4Business and Project Management
Lead the implementation of operational initiatives to enhance business agility
Business Environment Analysis
Level 4Business and Project Management
Monitor the influence of external and internal factors on the critical business functions, report findings and recommend responses to management
Business Performance Management
Level 4General Management
Manage organisation performance systems across departments
Design Thinking Practice
Level 4Design and Architecture
Facilitate and guide stakeholders to apply design thinking methodologies and processes for the organisation
Emerging Technology Synthesis
Level 4Business and Project Management
Evaluate new and emerging technology and trends against the organisational needs and processes
IT Strategy
Level 4Strategy Planning and Implementation
Generate insights to support strategic plans, systems and guidelines for IT, and evaluate the potential costs and value of new IT programmes
Networking
Level 4Business Development
Develop business plans for new opportunities
Organisational Design
Level 4Design and Architecture
Drive the implementation of organisational design
Project Feasibility Assessment
Level 4Business and Project Management
Assess the business environment and organisational capabilities and prepare financial projections, as well as report findings to relevant stakeholders
Strategy Implementation
Level 4Strategy Planning and Implementation
Evaluate strategies for critical business functions to ensure plans are realistic and reflect health of business
Strategy Planning
Level 4Business and Project Management
Develop resource allocation plans and implement strategies and policies
Sustainability Management
Level 4Business and Project Management
Assess the organisation's utilisation of energy against supply considerations, and propose and implement solutions to optimise utilisation
European Skills Framework
ESCOSkills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential
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