Senior Data Architect

Summary

A senior data architect delivers the vision for the organisation as set by the chief data architect.

At this role level, you will:

design data models and metadata systems
help chief data architects to interpret business needs
provide oversight and advice to other data architects who are undertaking the design of data models
support the management of data dictionaries
make sure that your teams are working to the standards set for the organisation by the chief data architects
work with technical architects to make sure that an organisation’s systems are designed in accordance with the appropriate data architecture

Background

Background Components

Description	Background
Has a systematic, disciplined and analytical approach to problem solving with demonstrable verbal and written communications skills. Has detailed knowledge of the appropriate corporate data standards and of the appropriate professional and/or legal data standards. Has a broad understanding of information systems concepts and practices. Is able to plan and schedule own work within	Prior Knowledge and Skills

Work Activity Components

Title	Details
Advice and guidance	Provides advice and guidance to database designers and others on using the data structures and associated components.
Data requirements documentation	Investigates corporate data requirements, documenting them according to the required standards utilising the prescribed methods and tools.
Assurance of data structures and models	Applies quality assurance techniques to (project-developed) data structures and associated components (e.g., entity/class descriptions, relationship descriptions, attribute definitions).
Corporate data policy	Participates in the development and maintenance of corporate data management policy.
Development needs	Supports the identification and prioritisation of development needs for a professional practice area. Identifies development activities that align with organisational priorities, learning and development strategies and career pathways.
Communities of practice	Provides advice, guidance and, where appropriate, support for the establishment and organisation of communities of practice.
Data architecture development	Leads the development of data architectures in specific business or functional areas. Ensures that appropriate tools and methods are available, understood and employed in architecture development. Educates and ensures an understanding of non-functional requirements by all
Evaluation and selection	Develops product short-lists and evaluation criteria then uses them in product selection, in accordance with policy and strategy for the selection of data architecture components. Translates component specifications into detailed designs for implementation using selected products.
Technical assurance	Advises on appropriate technical assurance criteria, and the conduct of quality reviews of technical products. Ensures change control is applied to specifications and designs. Ensures the adequacy and effective use of quality control procedures in relation to data architecture components.
Leadership	May take responsibility for contributing to the development of staff within an organisation. May be involved in scheduling staff activities and planning future data management activities.

Knowledge/Skills

Knowledge/Skills Components

Title	Depth	Details	Type
Analytical Thinking		Acquiring a proper understanding of a problem or situation by breaking it down systematically into its component parts and identifying the relationships between these parts. Selecting the appropriate method/tool to resolve the problem and reflecting critically on the result, so that what is learnt is identified and assimilated.	Behavioural Skills
Conceptual Thinking		Acquiring understanding and insights regarding the underlying issues in complex problems or situations through the development of abstract representations, the identification of patterns and the analysis of hypotheses.	Behavioural Skills
Interacting with People		Establishing relationships, contributing to an open culture and maintaining contacts with people from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Effective, approachable and sensitive communicator in different communities and cultures. Ability to adapt style and approach to meet the needs of different audiences.	Behavioural Skills
Teamwork		Working collaboratively with others to achieve a common goal.	Behavioural
Application Systems	Familiar with	Technical or functional understanding of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) applications and/or other bespoke software deployed within the organisation in order to provide system configuration, audit, technical, and/or functional support.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Database Software	Familiar with	Software that enables the user to capture, create, populate and manipulate data structures and where appropriate unstructured data.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Information Modelling Tools	Proficient in	Using tools (manual or automated) to record the structure, relationships and use of information within an organisation.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Business Environment	Familiar with	The business environment relating to own sphere of work (own organisation and/or closely associated organisations, such as customers, suppliers, partners and competitors), in particular those aspects of the business that the specialism is to support (i.e. localised organisational awareness from a technical perspective).	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Database Architecture	Proficient in	Different types of database architecture and the products that use each type.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Database Modelling and Design Tools	Familiar with	Tools and techniques that assist in creating a logical entity model and/ or generating a physical database.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Big Data	Familiar with	The discipline associated with data sets so large and/or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate. The data files may include structured, unstructured and/or semi-structured data, such as unstructured text, audio, video, etc. Challenges include analysis, capture, curation, search, sharing, storage, transfer, manipulation, analysis, visualization and information privacy.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Data Handling	Proficient in	The ability to harvest, clean, curate, manage, process and manipulate data in a variety of formats.	Technical Knowledge and Skills
Information Elicitation Techniques	Proficient in	The selection and application of information elicitation methods, tools and techniques that are appropriate to the information required and the sources available.	Other Knowledge and Skills
Function or Department Operations	Familiar with	The activities, structure, and position in the organisation of the functions or departments for which services are provided.	Other Knowledge and Skills
Techniques for Effective Meetings	Aware of	Methods and techniques for running effective meetings and for understanding and influencing the roles played by participants.	Other Knowledge and Skills
Coaching Techniques	Familiar with	Methods and techniques for coaching individuals or groups by a balanced combination of support and direction, including use of virtual learning environments plus add-ons to augment feedback specific to work items, workflow or career plans.	Other Knowledge and Skills
Project Planning and Control Techniques	Aware of	Methods and techniques associated with planning and monitoring progress of projects.	Other Knowledge and Skills

Training Activities

Training Components

Title	Details
Data Management	Data management concepts, methods, tools and techniques relating to the planning, development, implementation, administration and curation of data.
Advanced Documentation Tools and Techniques	Specialist techniques and tools used in the production of technical publications.
Coaching	Concepts, methods and techniques for providing coaching in subject specialisms to individuals or groups (e.g. GROW model).
Process Improvement Methods and Tools	Process improvement methods to identify process bottlenecks and inefficiencies such as Six Sigma and Lean IT. The tools and techniques to implement measurement-based strategies that focuses on process improvement.
Mentoring	Methods and techniques for providing mentoring support to less experienced individuals.
Security Awareness	Tools and techniques to help users and employees understand the role they play in helping to combat information security breaches and for IT and security professionals to prevent and mitigate risk.
Solution Architecture	Methods, tools and techniques for architecture design and development to provide an understanding of the critical architecture terms and concepts and how to apply them across typical architecture domains — business, applications, data and infrastructure.

PDAs

PDA Components

Title	Details
Deputising	Standing in for supervisor or manager on a temporary basis during periods of absence.
Job Shadowing and Special Assignments	Undertaking temporary periods or secondments in other roles, inside or outside IT, particularly those that offer a new perspective on own function or exposure to other environments and cultures.
Research Assignments	Exploring a topic which is not part of own normal responsibilities and presenting findings to colleagues and/or management
Gaining Knowledge of Activities of Employing Organisation	Developing an understanding of the potentially diverse range of activities (service, governance, administrative, regulatory, commercial, charitable, industrial, etc.) undertaken by the employing organisation.
Gaining Knowledge of IT Concepts and Techniques	Undertaking study, learning and, where possible, practice in IT concepts and techniques external to own function.
Participation in Professional Body Affairs	Taking an active part in professional body affairs at branch, specialist group, committee or board level.
Negotiating and Influencing	Undertaking learning and practice of negotiating with and influencing others.

Qualifications

Qualification Components

Title	Awarding Body
Registered IT Technician (RITTech)	BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT
Certified Data Management Professional – Practitioner	DAMA
FEDIP Senior Practitioner	FEDIP

Organisation Skills

Framework » Organisation Category » Subcategory	Skill Name and Description	Level
DDaT » Architecture	Architecture – Communicating between the technical and non-technical You can communicate effectively across organisational, technical and political boundaries, understanding the context. You can make complex and technical information and language simple and accessible for non- technical audiences. You can advocate on behalf of a team and communicate what it does, to create trust and authenticity. You can successfully respond to challenges.	3 – Practitioner You can listen to the needs of technical and business stakeholders and interpret them. You can effectively manage stakeholder expectations. You can manage active and reactive communication. You can support or host difficult discussions within the team or with diverse senior stakeholders.
DDaT » Architecture	Architecture – Communicating data You can use the most appropriate medium to visualise data to tell compelling stories that are relevant to business goals and can be acted upon. You can present, communicate and disseminate data effectively, appropriately and with high impact.	2 – Working You can understand the appropriate media to communicate findings. You can shape communications for the audience.
DDaT » Architecture	Architecture – Data analysis and synthesis You can translate data into valuable insights that inform decisions. You can effectively involve teams in analytics and synthesis to increase consensus and challenge assumptions. You can identify and use the most appropriate analytical techniques, and you have an understanding of analytical tools. You can demonstrate numeracy. You can show an awareness of advances in digital analytics tools and data manipulation products, and can keep up to date with them. You can collect, collate, cleanse, synthesise and interpret data to derive meaningful and	2 – Working You can undertake data profiling and source system analysis. You can present clear insights to colleagues to support the end use of the data.
DDaT » Architecture	Architecture – Data governance (data architect) You can evolve and define data governance take responsibility for supporting and collaborating around wider governance. You can assure and integrate data services to meet the needs of multiple business services and work proactively to ensure the organisation designs architecture that considers data	3 – Practitioner You can evolve and define data governance. You can take responsibility for supporting and collaborating around wider governance. You can assure and integrate data services to meet the needs of multiple business services. You can work proactively to ensure the organisation designs architecture that considers data.
DDaT » Architecture	Architecture – Data innovation You can understand the impact on the organisation of emerging trends in data tools, analysis techniques and data usage.	2 – Working You can understand the impact on the organisation of emerging trends in data tools, analysis techniques and data usage.
DDaT » Architecture	Architecture – Data modelling You can produce relevant data models across multiple subject areas explain which models to use for which purpose and understand industry-recognised data modelling patterns and standards, and when to apply them compare and align different data models.	3 – Practitioner You can understand the concepts and principles of data modelling. You can produce relevant data models across multiple subject areas. You can reverse-engineer data models from a live system. You can understand industry- recognised data modelling patterns and standards, and when to apply them. You can compare and align different data models.
DDaT » Architecture	Architecture – Data standards (data architect) You can develop and set data standards across multiple subject areas. Act as the escalation point for breaches of data standards and make recommendations about how the organisation should resolve them.	3 – Practitioner You can develop and set data standards across multiple subject areas. You can act as the escalation point for breaches of data standards and make recommendations about how the organisation should resolve them.
DDaT » Architecture	Architecture – Metadata management You can understand a variety of metadata management tools. You can design and maintain the appropriate metadata repositories to enable the organisation to understand its data assets.	3 – Practitioner You can design an appropriate metadata repository and present changes to existing metadata repositories. You can understand a range of tools for storing and working with metadata. You can provide oversight and advice to more inexperienced members of the team.
DDaT » Architecture	Architecture – Problem management (data architect) You can ensure that the right actions are taken to investigate, resolve and anticipate problems and co-ordinate the team to investigate problems, implement solutions and take preventive measures.	3 – Practitioner You can ensure that the most appropriate actions are taken to resolve problems as they occur. You can co- ordinate teams to resolve problems and to implement solutions and preventative measures.
DDaT » Architecture	Architecture – Strategic thinking You can work within a strategic context and communicate how activities meet strategic goals and contribute to the development of strategy and policies	2 – Working You can work within a strategic context and communicate how activities meet strategic goals. You can contribute to the development of strategy and policies.
DDaT » Architecture	Architecture – Turning business problems into data design You can design data architecture that deals with problems spanning different business areas identify links between problems to devise common solutions work across multiple subject areas, or a single large or complicated subject area produce appropriate patterns	3 – Practitioner You can design data architecture by dealing with problems that span different business areas. You can draw links between problems to reach common solutions. You can work across multiple subject areas, or a single large or complicated subject area.

Framework » Organisation
Category » Subcategory

Skill Name and Description

Level

DDaT » Architecture

Architecture – Communicating between the technical and non-technical

You can communicate effectively across organisational, technical and political boundaries, understanding the context. You can make complex and technical information and language simple and accessible for non- technical audiences. You can advocate on behalf of a team and communicate what it does, to create trust and authenticity. You can successfully respond to challenges.

3 – Practitioner

You can listen to the needs of technical and business stakeholders and interpret them. You can effectively manage stakeholder expectations. You can manage active and reactive communication. You can support or host difficult discussions within the team or with diverse senior stakeholders.

DDaT » Architecture

Architecture – Communicating data

You can use the most appropriate medium to visualise data to tell compelling stories that are relevant to business goals and can be acted upon. You can present, communicate and disseminate data effectively, appropriately and with high impact.

2 – Working

You can understand the appropriate media to communicate findings. You can shape communications for the audience.

DDaT » Architecture

Architecture – Data analysis and synthesis

You can translate data into valuable insights that inform decisions. You can effectively involve teams in analytics and synthesis to increase consensus and challenge assumptions. You can identify and use the most appropriate analytical techniques, and you have an understanding of analytical tools. You can demonstrate numeracy. You can show an awareness of advances in digital analytics tools and data manipulation products, and can keep up to date with them. You can collect, collate, cleanse, synthesise and interpret data to derive meaningful and

2 – Working

You can undertake data profiling and source system analysis. You can present clear insights to colleagues to support the end use of the data.

DDaT » Architecture

Architecture – Data governance (data architect)

You can evolve and define data governance
take responsibility for supporting and collaborating around wider governance. You can assure and integrate data services to meet the needs of multiple business services and work proactively to ensure the organisation designs architecture that considers data

3 – Practitioner

You can evolve and define data governance. You can take responsibility for supporting and collaborating around wider governance. You can assure and integrate data services to meet the needs of multiple business services. You can work proactively to ensure the organisation designs architecture that considers data.

DDaT » Architecture

Architecture – Data innovation

You can understand the impact on the organisation of emerging trends in data tools, analysis techniques and data usage.

2 – Working

You can understand the impact on the organisation of emerging trends in data tools, analysis techniques and data usage.

DDaT » Architecture

Architecture – Data modelling

You can produce relevant data models across multiple subject areas explain which models to use for which purpose and understand industry-recognised data modelling patterns and standards, and when to apply them compare and align different data models.

3 – Practitioner

You can understand the concepts and principles of data modelling. You can produce relevant data models across multiple subject areas. You can reverse-engineer data models from a live system. You can understand industry- recognised data modelling patterns and standards, and when to apply them. You can compare and align different data models.

DDaT » Architecture

Architecture – Data standards (data architect)

You can develop and set data standards across multiple subject areas. Act as the escalation point for breaches of data standards and make recommendations about how the organisation should resolve them.

3 – Practitioner

You can develop and set data standards across multiple subject areas. You can act as the escalation point for breaches of data standards and make recommendations about how the organisation should resolve them.

DDaT » Architecture

Architecture – Metadata management

You can understand a variety of metadata management tools. You can design and maintain the appropriate metadata repositories to enable the organisation to understand its data assets.

3 – Practitioner

You can design an appropriate metadata repository and present changes to existing metadata repositories. You can understand a range of tools for storing and working with metadata. You can provide oversight and advice to more inexperienced members of the team.

DDaT » Architecture

Architecture – Problem management (data architect)

You can ensure that the right actions are taken to investigate, resolve and anticipate problems and co-ordinate the team to investigate problems, implement solutions and take preventive measures.

3 – Practitioner

You can ensure that the most appropriate actions are taken to resolve problems as they occur. You can co- ordinate teams to resolve problems and to implement solutions and preventative measures.

DDaT » Architecture

Architecture – Strategic thinking

You can work within a strategic context and communicate how activities meet strategic goals and contribute to the development of strategy and policies

2 – Working

You can work within a strategic context and communicate how activities meet strategic goals. You can contribute to the development of strategy and policies.

DDaT » Architecture

Architecture – Turning business problems into data design

You can design data architecture that deals with problems spanning different business areas identify links between problems to devise common solutions work across multiple subject areas, or a single large or complicated subject area produce appropriate patterns

3 – Practitioner

You can design data architecture by dealing with problems that span different business areas. You can draw links between problems to reach common solutions. You can work across multiple subject areas, or a single large or complicated subject area.

This job role profile was created in collaboration with BCS, using Role Model Plus. BCS is the professional body that has the responsibility of updating this job family.

Summary

Background

Background Components

Work Activity Components

Knowledge/Skills

Knowledge/Skills Components

Training Activities

Training Components

PDAs

PDA Components

Qualifications

Qualification Components

Organisation Skills

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