As businesses look to match their IT strategies with their overarching objectives, the role of a solutions architect is becoming more and more crucial. A solutions architect is in charge of assessing the business requirements of an organization and figuring out how IT can meet those requirements by utilizing software, hardware, or infrastructure. Finding ways that IT can support business goals, developing and improving technical solutions, and developing and implementing software and services across the entire organization are all part of this.
In order to ensure that everyone is on the same page when developing and implementing technical solutions for business problems, a solutions architect is also vital in bridging communication between IT and business operations. For this to be properly designed and implemented, adjustments, problem-solving, and feedback must be made on a regular basis.
The business, system, information, security, application, and technology architectures are all included in the solution architecture’s scope. Developing cloud infrastructure for efficiency, implementing microservices for e-commerce, or implementing security protocols for data, systems, and networks are examples of solution architecture.
There are certain expectations of a solutions architect, though job requirements and duties will vary by company or industry. These expectations include leading brainstorming sessions to develop potential solutions, spotting opportunities for process improvements, preparing and documenting testing requirements, working with business units to develop IT strategies, building and migrating software and services, and working with product and delivery teams to develop scalable solutions
To be successful in this role, solution architects must have strong leadership and communication skills, as well as both technical and business knowledge. They must understand the business side of the organization to determine which IT solutions will fit the company’s goals, and their leadership skills will be important for steering the overall process of identifying key business objectives and determining the requirements for each solution.
The typical requirement is a bachelor’s degree or higher in information technology, computer science, software engineering, or a related field, though specific qualifications in terms of training and work experience vary depending on the position. For more senior positions, a master’s degree and/or additional training or experience may be necessary.
Solution architects need to have a strong foundation in technical skills in addition to education and experience. PayScale data shows that SAP Business Warehouse, AWS and Azure, Apache Kafka, ServiceNow, Informatica, Data Management, Software Development LifeCycle, Big Data Analytics, Enterprise Service Bus (ESB), experience with enterprise architecture, working knowledge of IT architecture frameworks, and an understanding of IT security, infrastructure, and governance are some of the most in-demand technical skills for solution architects.
For solution architects, certification is crucial. For specific skills needed for the job, such as Java, AWS, Azure, or Apache Kafka, there are numerous certifications and courses available. AWS Certified Solutions Architect, The Open Group Certified Architect (Open CA), and Google Professional Cloud Architect are a few other well-known certifications for solution architects.
In conclusion, as businesses look to match their IT strategies with their overarching objectives, the role of a solutions architect is becoming more crucial. Solution architects are essential in assessing business requirements, deciding how IT can meet those requirements, and creating and implementing technical solutions to address business issues. They should be certified in pertinent competencies and technologies for their industry or field and possess strong leadership and communication skills in addition to technical and business knowledge.
