Learn about the duties and requirements of the solution architect profession.
What does a solutions architect do, and how does it fit within the scope of home design? More importantly, do you need a solution architect for your project?
Solution architects take a bird’s-eye view of a problem, making sure all systems interact together effectively. This ensures there is one single point of accountability for all decisions who understands how all pieces of the puzzle fit together, avoiding confusion.
Solution architect job description
Solution architecture doesn’t just apply to building design. It can also involve enterprise architecture and software engineering, comprising the development of IT systems and business processes.
In this sense, a solutions architect can work in a range of fields. The term is often used in a more general sense (“the architect of a business solution,” who may be termed an enterprise architect). But the solution architect role certainly applies within building design as well.
The solutions architect, also called a systems architect, designs how different technical systems that make up a project work together. While in the past, this professional may have worked as a technical specialist, she now works as more of a technical generalist. Instead of focusing on one dimension of a project, the solutions architect focuses on developing the broader technical vision.
Let’s discuss the solution architect’s job and qualifications in more depth. Then, we’ll look at a couple of examples of how the solution architect’s role plays out.
Background of a solutions architect
Let’s examine the types of knowledge solution architects need to possess, as well as the human skills they need.
Technical expertise
The solutions architect has field-specific scientific expertise that lends a strong grasp of different technical systems involved in the design process. In building design, this means having strong engineering knowledge. The solutions architect typically has a technical background working in one or more domains related to the project.
When working in a business or IT rather than architecture context, the solutions architect may need a background in programming languages, operating systems, and computer science. This variety of solutions architect may handle software development and might be called a software architect. Such professionals may also be called computer network architects.
Main skills needed
Analytical abilities, project management experience, and leadership skills prove vital to the solution architect position since the solutions architect is a cornerstone of the project management team. Communication skills are vital since most solutions architects must discuss the project with non-technical stakeholders. That’s true for both a software architect and those who engineer buildings.
Additionally, resource management skills, including strong budgeting abilities, prove indispensable to solution architects. They’re typically tasked with meeting a robust list of demands while sticking to a budget, size requirements, and other stipulations.
Now, let’s look at some typical solution architect responsibilities.
What does a solution architect do?
A solutions architect acts as a technical project manager, guiding the integrated design of all systems inherent to a project. By providing technical leadership, the solutions architect ensures that each tech solution operates seamlessly within the project as a whole. Let’s review the basics of how this process works.
Defining goals and technical vision
The solutions architect’s role involves first identifying the technical requirements of a project while also spotting potential vulnerabilities. To do this, the solutions architect must understand the project goals and vision—in other words, the desired outcome. With this information, the solutions architect defines the overall technical vision for the project.
Creating technical blueprints
Next, solution architects focus on creating technical blueprints, usually alongside development team members with particular areas of expertise, including engineers and architects with different sub-specialties. Let’s discuss a few typical elements of solution architecture planning.
Holding discussions
The subject matter experts on the development team provide vital knowledge in their sub-disciplines, which the solutions architect will synthesize into a coherent plan. Such team members could include experts in electrical solutions, structural engineering, acoustics, design aesthetics, and other specialty areas. Solution architects may convene group discussions to bring together multiple people with relevant expertise.
Researching options
As part of this process, the solutions architect may also research the best available options and consult with outside experts. He’ll locate outside consultants with specialized knowledge to contribute when needed.
Optimizing systems
Guided by these conversations, the solution architect looks at the technologies required by the project’s technical vision and how to optimize them, given project constraints. Using software, she’ll map out the integration of these systems to ensure they work together smoothly. During this development process, the solution architect will pinpoint any oversights, spearheading specific solutions that neatly address them. Throughout the process, the solution architect will continue to consult and collaborate with specialists on the team as needed.
Communicating with the development team and client
Most solutions architects will communicate closely with the budget team or client about any discrepancies between budget and costs throughout the project development process. This professional will also keep them informed about potential delays and issues. Along the way, the solutions architect will also help troubleshoot issues that may arise in order to adhere to the desired budget and goals.
The vital importance of the solution architect
A recent survey of architecture and engineering professionals found that communication and collaboration challenges are some of the biggest hurdles they encounter. Gaining access to the right specialized information and effectively integrating technologies into the design are two others.
These common challenges speak to the importance of the solutions architect role in the design process, as this professional is uniquely positioned to help the team surmount these challenges. Plus, the solution architect can translate complex information between technical and non technical stakeholders.
Examples of solution architecture consulting
A solution architect could work to upgrade an existing building or assist with the design of a new one. Whether modernizing an older facility or designing technology into a contemporary home, the role fulfills a similar function.
Designing a complex smart home
Solutions architects are becoming increasingly important on engineering teams with the rise of modern technical solutions built into contemporary homes. For example, a new home might include smart systems for lighting, heating, surveillance and security, and renewable energy. Ideally, these automated systems will be designed into the architectural plan from the beginning.
A solutions architect can take an ecosystem approach to design, integrating all of these systems to the greatest extent possible. The end goal is to boost automation and make the systems as intuitive and effortless to use as possible, rather than confusing and convoluted. The solutions architect can guide technical staff on development teams in designing the best solution for the client’s new home or the existing environment.
Integrating human-centered design
A solution architect possesses not only technical ability but also an understanding of human-centered design. She can translate what clients ask for into a more functional, user-friendly outcome than they may have thought possible.
Imagine that for a particular project, a client is very excited to have the ability to control different smart home features from a smartphone. A wise solutions architect will group those functions into systems that the client can more easily control. For instance, the architect could create a “night” setting that controls the curtains, lights, and alarm, as Arch Daily notes.
Increasingly, solutions architect responsibilities require advanced technical savvy (not unlike a software architect!). Solutions architects tasked with smart home projects will need strong software architecture knowledge in order to manage the underlying technologies in the project technology stack.
Planning an eco-friendly home
When designing an eco-friendly home, a solution architect must consider many layers of environmentally friendly design. How will the home make use of natural heating and cooling methods? Will it utilize energy produced on-site, and if so, using what process? What structural and aesthetic preferences does the client have?
The solution architect must guide a team of experts with different sub-specializations in hashing out such ideas to make sure they’ll work as part of the whole. Further, the solution architect must strive to anticipate potential conflicts and address them before finalizing (or drafting) the plan.
For instance, say the client prefers certain types of materials above others. The solution architect can bring together various experts to determine whether using those materials can achieve the client’s natural heating and cooling needs.
Finding a good solution architect
Do you need a solution architect? Again, look for a person with a technical background, broad knowledge of the engineering fields involved in the project, and excellent project management skills. And, of course, make sure your solution architect communicates effectively, so you’ll be on the same page every step of the way!
If you need a solution architect, we’re ready to talk with you about the extraordinary results we can achieve together.