What does the solution architect do?

The solution architect plays a vital role in the company. Read why. […]

Companies that want to coordinate their business goals and requirements through IT products, services, software, and infrastructure cannot avoid solution architects.

The solution architect is responsible for evaluating the company’s business needs and determining how IT can support them with the help of software, hardware, and infrastructure. Nowadays, aligning IT and business strategy is a good form. Solution architects formulate, develop, and optimize technical solutions so that they can be implemented in practice.

They can also act as liaisons between IT and business, ensuring that everyone is working towards the same common goal-solving business problems. This process requires regular feedback and adjustments; this is the only way to finally get a well-designed and easy-to-implement solution.

The solution architecture itself includes business, system, information, security, application and technical architecture. Practical examples of solution architecture are the development of cloud infrastructure to increase efficiency levels, the integration of microservices for e-commerce, or the implementation of security measures for data, systems, and networks.

Solution architects operate in a wide range of applications—requirements vary by industry and company. However, there are some general responsibilities, skills and qualifications:

• Lead the brainstorming process to develop possible solutions to specific business problems;
• Identify opportunities for process optimization;
• Develop and record test requirements;
• Determine how IT supports business goals;
• Targeted cooperation with departments to formulate IT strategies and optimize existing implementations;
• Develop and migrate software and services for all areas of the company;
• Develop scalable solutions and products with product and delivery teams;
• Communicate and consult with/from customers and internal stakeholders to develop tailor-made solutions;

Software architects work with executives, managers, and employees in all areas of the company. Solution architects working on product teams can also contact customers, so they should be able to explain expectations and requirements to them in an easy-to-understand manner. In this case, he should also know how to manage customer satisfaction and communicate the correct expectations for the final product.

In order to be able to align IT solutions with business goals, solution architects should have strong leadership and communication skills, as well as an understanding of technology and entrepreneurship. The latter is essential for the solution of matching targets. On the other hand, the former is important for controlling the entire process, including determining the most important business goals and determining appropriate solutions.

A degree in computer science (or a related field) is a basic requirement for the job of a solution architect. Depending on the design of the individual’s role, special IT field skills, such as network management or software development, may also be required.

According to the American career portal PayScale, solution architects particularly need the following technical skills:

• SAP business warehouse
• vending machine
• sky blue
• Kafka
• Serve immediately
• Information Technology Company
• Data management
• Software development life cycle
• Big data analysis
• Enterprise Service Bus (ESB)
• Enterprise Architecture
• IT architecture framework
• Experience in IT security, infrastructure and governance

According to data from career expert Stepstone, the average salary of a solution architect in Germany is about 71,000 euros. The salary range is between 61,500 and 82,600 euros.

This article is based on an article from our US sister publication CIO.com.

* Sarah K. White contributed to CIO.com. There, she is mainly responsible for all topics related to IT careers and healthcare IT. Her previous professional positions include positions on B2C platform TechnologyGuide and recruitment portal Monster.com.