In other words, architect duties are connected with integrating software and hardware. The importance of solution architects lies in their ability to bridge the gap between technical and business aspects of a project. They play a critical role in ensuring that technology solutions meet the needs of the organization and contribute to its success.
A newcomer in the profession earns up to $40 per hour, while a senior specialist gets up to $70 per hour. When it comes to the projects, there are also many constraints that must be taken into consideration during all the processes. The list includes technologies, expenses, deadlines, risks, and many other similar features. While it is already clear that a solution architect ensures the product is developed properly, getting an idea of all the responsibilities of this expert is still a bit difficult.
For Organizations
They also have to provide a clear strategy throughout the whole software development process. Usually, when someone mentions infrastructure architects, they refer to solutions architects with all the responsibilities that were described in the previous section of this article. The name “infrastructure architect” usually highlights the fact that this specialist designs and implements software solutions based on the current infrastructure of the customer’s business.
As the most in-depth of the architects, they are responsible for the technical structure of the respective systems and ensuring the proper implementation. No, solution architects do not require coding since many IT architects will already have experience with languages and Linux systems. Most of the time in their role they will analyze and lead software engineers and application architects to complete their projects.
Tools and Software for Solution Architect
They have a clear vision of a product and understand how this product should benefit a business. A solution architect also translates this vision to a coding team to build a highly tailored product to the enterprise’s needs and requirements. 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. Although solutions architects are not directly involved in project development, they still need to ensure that project resources are being used efficiently and impactfully. They should be business-minded and capable of identifying the most effective solution at every turn for every part of the architecture.
Software or technical architect is mainly in charge of engineering problems and software architecture. We have a detailed article describing the role of a software architect and the importance of this position to the company’s success. Although some of the most common degrees solutions architects hold are bachelor’s degrees in information technology, computer science, or software information. According to Zippia, 66 per cent of solutions architects have a bachelor’s degree, and 24 per cent have a master’s [2].
Why should I pursue a career as a solutions architect?
The solution architect’s focus is on developing and documenting solutions for specific architectural issues intended to enable a particular business outcome. After solution architects have designed the correct solution, it’s their job to manage the various activities that are involved for a successful implementation. Svitla Systems takes the complexity out of your hands and builds your company’s software architecture from the ground up. With the right combination of people, tools, and technology, we orchestrate the best strategies to achieve the best degree of operational efficiency through a robust software solution.
For example, in the US, an expert can get between $142K – 238K yearly, whereas in Ukraine, a professional with the same qualifications 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. An enterprise architect has a much larger scope of work compared to other architect specializations. This specialist develops and proposes strategic technological initiatives to the business’s top executives and explains their benefits.
What is a solution architect and why does it matter?
To successfully design, create, and lead the development of a software solution, an architect needs to have a certain skill set. Let’s take a closer look at the most important skills of a solutions architect below. A solutions architect is responsible for creating a comprehensive architecture for a software solution and providing strategic direction throughout the development process.
- Business owners often think about effectiveness, productivity, cutting costs, optimization, etc, while software engineers worry more about specific engineering challenges.
- After that, they cooperate with a business analyst to help the latter properly translate stakeholders’ requirements into functional and non-functional requirements for a product.
- It’s the creation of a framework that will solve problems and plot a course toward success after taking the issues into consideration.
- The position is very responsible and requires wide-ranging IT skills and knowledge.
First of all, you need to have at least 5-7 years of experience in software development. Then it is great to have some experience in team leading or project management. It is also good to have 1-2 years of experience in architecture development for small and medium-sized projects. After this, you can take courses online and read some books to help you to apply for a solution architect position.
Technologies selection
Most businesses rely on a deep and wide technology stack that’s interconnected and integrated. Here’s what to know about a solutions architect’s salary, needed skills and how to become one. Solution architects may work on multiple projects at the same time, which requires effective time management and prioritization skills. 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. With a solution architect, a project has a much higher chance of seeing a successful launch than not.
Define solution requirements, key features of the solution, and phases of implementation. After that, it would be a good thing to extract insights out of it and understand how it contributes to the improvement of the product or service. Solution architecture is one of the foundational elements of any project or organization. Considering deadlines and resources is a necessary part of solution planning.
Solution architect vs. Enterprise & Software architects
This specialist can be introduced to a company’s enterprise structure through software architecture consulting services. Even the most sophisticated software product is worth investing in only if it can bring real business value. A software architect is solution architect performance goals a person who ensures that you spend money on tech solutions wisely instead of taking a shot in the dark. Specifically, they are responsible for bridging the gap between a company’s business strategy and the technical solutions it purchases or builds.