He must examine the limitations of the project in order to optimize possible alternatives and reduce risks. In general, the solution architect is the link between the technical team and the project manager. It ensures the speed and accuracy of information transfer, as well as controls key development processes. Solutions architects need a combination of hard and soft skills to succeed in the role. These include a strong knowledge of business processes, IT systems, and solutions, while also being able to communicate complex software processes.
In addition, the professionals work closely with stakeholders such as business analysts, developers, and project managers to understand the project requirements and design an appropriate solution. While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren’t so similar. A career as a senior infrastructure engineer brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a solutions architect. In fact, senior infrastructure engineers salary is $1,438 higher than the salary of solutions architects per year. The salary of a solutions architect varies a lot and depends on multiple factors.
Solution architect vs. software engineer
Both functional and non-functional requirements are written down in a project specification. For example, a travel provider like Booking.com wants to create an app to let customers book flights, hotels, and cabs from mobile devices. Take our free career test to find out if solution architect is one of your top career matches. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals. Google, Samsung, Qualcomm and Nvidia, for instance, are part of a consortium formed in 2020 to develop RISC-V-based technologies.
The main difference between a solutions architect and a software architect is their main focus. The solution architect’s focus is on developing and documenting solutions for specific architectural issues intended to enable a particular business outcome. Solutions architects will also be in regular communication with IT specialists and enterprise architects to develop and implement complex technology and business solutions. After solution architects have designed the correct solution, it’s their job to manage the various activities that are involved for a successful implementation. You will likely need a bachelor’s degree or higher in information technology, computer science, software engineering, or a related field. For more senior roles, you may need more experience or education, including a master’s degree.
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It also requires clear communication skills and the ability to translate technical details of the project into simple language that will be easy for non-technical stakeholders to understand. Leveraging their deep understanding of the organization’s technology stack, they design solutions that meet business needs while fitting into the overall enterprise architecture. They bridge the gap between strategy (the realm of the Enterprise Architect) and implementation (the domain of the Technical Architect). Usually, companies already have operating systems, an information context, and integration requirements. The solution architecture helps ensure that a new system will fit the existing enterprise environment.
- They have a clear vision of a product and understand how this product should benefit a business.
- Senior technical consultants tend to earn a lower pay than solutions architects by an average of $11,302 per year.
- Simply put, this is the foundation of the product on which the long-term success of any project depends.
- An architect is responsible for translating the vision for the project to the development team and plays a pivotal part throughout the entire systems development lifecycle.
- Solution architects must be able to make decisions about which solutions are advantageous and which are worthless in a given situation.
The overall goal of an architect is to ensure a smooth development lifecycle and efficient use of available resources building enterprise architecture for each application. Solution Architects are highly valuable assets in any enterprise, but their significance becomes more distinct in large-sized companies that require what does solution architect do a robust solution architecture framework. Solution Architects are often considered consultants who examine a system’s architecture, as well as business and technical aspects to suggest a solution. Thus, it’s important that Solution Architects hold a degree, certifications or provable experience in the IT field.
In-depth Knowledge of Architectural Principles and Services
Moreover, their communication skill is crucial, especially when working with project teams and management. They need to have the natural inclination to listen, empathize, and explain their ideas to others. There are a lot of IT architect certifications available, with most of them being vendor-specific, i.e., focused on mastering a specific technology. 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. The solution architect must be able to describe the solution in a language understandable to all.
Even the most sophisticated software product is worth investing in only if it can bring real business value. A software architect is 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. A solution architect is sometimes confused with enterprise architect and software architect. This is because their positions sound similar and the responsibilities overlap partially. Yet, each role is essential for a project’s success and cannot be substituted by another position.
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Let’s take a look at what specific processes the solution architect works with. The role of a solution architect is to ensure the product meets business requirements and requirements from other stakeholders. The primary role of a solution architect is to ensure the product meets business requirements and requirements from other stakeholders. The main role of a solution architect is to ensure the product meets business requirements and requirements from other stakeholders.
There are also several certificates recommended solution architects achieve before applying for the position. This process is very detail-oriented and serves as a connecting piece between enterprise architecture and technical architecture. It also requires a breadth of knowledge in the technical and business inner workings of the company. Solution architects bring clarity to a business by understanding the current software domain and tailoring it in ways that improve technical and business performance. They are prominent figures in today’s business environment because more companies require complex software architectures to achieve their goals. They take business requirements and transform them into new software solutions using the latest technology from the company.
Why should I pursue a career as a solutions architect?
Solution architecture defines how those requirements would translate into the way a given software operates. Solution architecture belongs to the list of most important practices executed before any tech solution development begins. In this article, we’ll discuss what solution architecture is, describe the role of a solution architect, and explain how the adoption of this expertise can help solve business problems. There are several different certifications that can illustrate the technical expertise of an experienced solution architect. Depending on your organization’s existing environment, certain certifications will be more important to your organization than others. In addition, a solutions architect should have technical skills in and IT management.
We calculated that 11% of Solutions Architects are proficient in Cloud, Java, and AWS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity. Get hand-selected expert engineers to supplement your team or build a high-quality mobile/web app from scratch. Understanding these scenarios’ complexity and potential impact makes it clear why and when an organization might need to hire an IT 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?
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Solutions architects also need strong leadership skills and several years of hands-on experience in a related field. They will also need to assess the technical needs and capabilities during implementation. With analytical approach, solutions architects need to understand all of the technologies and topics related to a business to have a deep enough understanding to create a solution. Broadly speaking, a solution architect’s task is to evaluate all business requirements and come up with solutions in the form of products or services.