Senior Solution Architect

Summary

A senior solution architect is responsible for a single, more complex, solution. They usually work on solutions where the risk is moderate. They may lead and coach other solution architects.

At this role level, you will:

build relationships with senior stakeholders across different business or technical areas in the organisation

be proactive in identifying opportunities to improve the organisation

support multiple architecture projects

find and use emerging technologies and approaches

support others to follow best practice for solution architecture

Background

Description	Background
Is familiar with the systems development lifecycle and typical problems associated with the implementation and operations of information systems, from initial concept through development and implementation to operation and support. Has detailed practical knowledge of the organisation's IT infrastructure and software development and maintenance methods, tools and techniques. Is conversant with the organisation's IT strategy, policies and standards, and any industry regulations/constraints. Has a good appreciation of risk management, change management, configuration management, reliability and safety methods and the use of metrics.	Prior Knowledge and Skills

Description

Background

Is familiar with the systems development lifecycle and typical problems associated with the implementation and operations of information systems, from initial concept through development and implementation to operation and support. Has detailed practical knowledge of the organisation's IT infrastructure and software development and maintenance methods, tools and techniques. Is conversant with the organisation's IT strategy, policies and standards, and any industry regulations/constraints. Has a good appreciation of risk management, change management, configuration management, reliability and safety methods and the use of metrics.

Prior Knowledge and Skills

Work Activity Components

Title	Details
Change programmes (ARCH)(Level 5)	Within a business change programme, leads the preparation of technical plans and in liaison with business assurance and project staff, ensures that appropriate technical resources are made available.
Technical assurance (ARCH)(Level 5)	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 solution architecture components.
Innovation initiatives (INOV) (Level 5)	Investigates and develops innovative methods of exploiting IT assets, to the benefit of the organisation and the community. Develops business proposals to exploit technology in line with the organisation's mission, objectives and strategy, clearly articulating, and formally reporting benefits.

Behavioural Skills

Title	Details
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.
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.
Planning and Organisation	Determining a course of action by breaking it down into smaller steps and by planning and resourcing each of these, making allowance for potential problems and escalating if necessary.
Customer Focus	Understanding the needs of the internal or external customer and keeping these in mind when taking actions or making decisions.
Initiative	Being proactive, anticipating opportunities for systems, service or product improvement or development and taking appropriate action(s).
Creativity	Taking innovative approaches to problem solving and/or devising inventive and creative solutions.
Cross-Functional and Inter-Disciplinary Awareness	Understanding the needs, objectives and constraints of those in other disciplines and functions.
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.

Technical Skills

Title	Details	Depth
Application Systems	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.	Proficient in
Configuration Management	The discipline that gives precise control over IT assets and components by recording and maintaining information about the 'configuration items', including hardware devices, computer programs, software licences, documentation, network devices, and data centre facilities (virtualised and static).	Familiar with
Networking and Communications	The planning and management of the interaction between two or more networking systems, computers or other intelligent devices.	Familiar with
Operational/Service Architecture	Knowledge of the IT/IS infrastructure and the IT applications and service processes used within own organisation, including those associated with sustainability and efficiency.	Proficient in
Business Environment	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).	Familiar with
IT Environment	The IT environment relating to own sphere of work (own organisation and/or closely associated organisations, such as customers, suppliers, partners), in particular own organisation's technical platforms and those that interface to them through the specialism, including those in closely-related organisations.	Proficient in
Product Evaluation and Selection	The analytical comparison of IT products against specified criteria (including costs) to determine the solution that best meets the business need.	Proficient in
Middleware	Software which forms part of the operating platform infrastructure.	Proficient in
Infrastructure Configuration	Knowledge and understanding of infrastructure configurations.	Familiar with
Cloud/Virtualisation	The principles and application of cloud/ virtualisation (including ownership, responsibilities and security implications). Use of tools and systems to manage virtualised environments.	Familiar with
Development Approach	Understanding and application of different development approaches e.g. iterative/ incremental methodologies (Agile, XP, TDD, SCRUM) or traditional sequential methodologies (Waterfall or V-Model). Irrespective of development methodology a DevOps approach may also be taken where development and operational staff work collaboratively.	Proficient in
Proof of Concept and Prototyping	Performing a proof of concept or prototyping exercise to demonstrate or evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of applying a particular technological business change in order to meet a business need.	Proficient in
DevOps	The collaborative approach consisting of agile practices, processes, and procedures designed to facilitate rapid IT service and product delivery. DevOps emphasizes people (and culture) and seeks to improve collaboration between development (Dev) and operations (Ops) teams with the aim of shortening the systems development life cycle to provide continuous release of high-quality software.	Familiar with
Agile	A collection of methods, practises, tools and techniques, underpinned by the Agile Manifesto, that enable teams to deliver high value products and services in small, workable, increments. An Agile culture typically encompasses concepts such as Servant-Leaders; ceremonies, Stand-Ups, Sprints and Retrospectives; and the deployment of tools and techniques such as Backlogs and A/B Testing.	Proficient in

Other Skills

Title	Details	Depth
Process Improvement Techniques	Methods, tools and techniques to analyse and optimise processes in order to improve the quality of a product or service.	Proficient in
Legislation	Relevant national and international legislation.	Aware of
Presentation Techniques	Methods and techniques for delivering effective and accessible presentations, either face-to-face or online within various contexts and to a variety of audiences.	Familiar with
Business Proposals	Methods and techniques for preparing and presenting business cases, requests for proposal (RFP) invitations to tender (ITT) and statements of requirements/work both verbally and in writing.	Proficient in
Techniques for Effective Meetings	Methods and techniques for running effective meetings and for understanding and influencing the roles played by participants.	Familiar with
Coaching Techniques	Methods and techniques for coaching individuals or groups by a balanced combination of support and direction, which could include use of virtual learning environments plus add-ons to augment feedback specific to work items, workflow or career plans.	Aware of
Market Research	Techniques for the systematic design, collection, analysis and reporting of data and findings relevant to specific markets.	Aware of

Training

Title	Details
Systems Development	Systems development, including development life-cycles and methods, organisation interfaces, typical corporate application architectures, project and programme management, risk management and change control.
Coaching	Concepts, methods and techniques for providing coaching in subject specialisms to individuals or groups (e.g. GROW model).
System Hardware Configuration	Understanding typical system hardware configurations.
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.
User Interface Design	Principles, practices, tools and techniques for user interface design and the creation of graphical user interfaces that make user interaction with systems, software, and applications as simple and efficient as possible.

Professional Development Activity (PDA)

Title	Details	PDA Group
Deputising	Standing in for supervisor or manager on a temporary basis during periods of absence.	Broadening Activities
Job Shadowing and Special Assignments	Undertaking temporary periods or secondments in other roles, particularly those that offer a new perspective on own function or exposure to other environments and cultures.	Broadening Activities
Project Assignments	Participating in a project team, working group or task force established to deliver a solution to a specific problem or issue - especially valuable if the group is inter-disciplinary.	Broadening Activities
Mentoring	Acting as a mentor, advising those for whom there is no direct responsibility, on matters to do with their job role, career and professional development.	Broadening Activities
Research Assignments	Exploring a topic which is not part of own normal responsibilities and presenting findings to colleagues and/or management	Increasing Knowledge
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.	Increasing Knowledge
Gaining Knowledge of IT Concepts and Techniques	Undertaking study, learning and, where possible, practice in IT concepts and techniques external to own function.	Increasing Knowledge
Participation in Professional Body Affairs	Taking an active part in professional body affairs at branch, specialist group, committee or board level.	Participation in Professional Activities
Negotiating and Influencing	Undertaking learning and practice of negotiating with and influencing others.	Developing Professional Skills
Team Leadership	Undertaking learning and practice of the skills required to lead teams, including motivation, direction, coaching, delegation, appraisal, counselling and developing others.	Developing Professional Skills

Organisational Skill Name and Description

Framework	Skill	Level
Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework	Architect for the whole context	Working Architect for the whole context You can: align your work with the work being done by other architects and technical professionals track emerging issues, strategies, roadmaps, patterns and technologies over time to assess opportunities and risks to your work identify how other teams contribute to delivering outcomes through change
Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework	Architecture communication Communication involves conveying information using the most effective medium and language for the audience.	Practitioner Architecture communication You can: lead the communication of complicated, complex or risky architecture topics with technical and non-technical stakeholders communicate with senior stakeholders across your organisation adapt your message and communication techniques to your audience advocate on behalf of a team to other stakeholders manage stakeholder expectations effectively
Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework	Commercial perspective Commercial management involves exploring commercial opportunities whilst complying with the regulations on how we conduct and manage both internal and third party relationships.	Working Commercial perspective You can: understand commercial processes and the appropriate internal contacts within a government department understand different sourcing strategies and when to apply them
Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework	Community collaboration Collaboration in the DDaT Profession typically involves working in a multidisciplinary project team, and contributing to working groups and wider professional communities. It requires a broad understanding of the technologies, principles and perspectives of related professions.	Practitioner Community collaboration You can: work collaboratively in a group, actively networking with others adapt feedback to ensure it’s effective and lasting use your initiative to identify problems or issues in the team dynamic and rectify them identify issues through Agile ‘health checks’ with the team, and help to stimulate the right responses
Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework	Making architectural decisions	Practitioner Making architectural decisions You can: make and guide architectural design decisions characterised by medium risk and complexity identify and address architectural risks that affect multiple teams or domains use architectural governance and assurance to make design decisions and manage technical risks at the appropriate level contribute to the development of architectural governance and assurance
Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework	Problem definition and shaping	Practitioner Problem definition and shaping You can: define strategies and policies, providing guidance to others on working in the strategic context evaluate current strategies to ensure business requirements are being met and exceeded where possible
Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework	Strategy design Strategy involves creating a plan to achieve a team or organisation's objectives.	Working Strategy design You can: support the development of a strategy or vision that aligns with organisational objectives challenge requirements and assumptions, and identify opportunities to develop strategy support the implementation of a strategy or vision, for example, by using a roadmap or plan use architectural principles, patterns, and constraints when appropriate
Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework	Technical design throughout the life cycle	Practitioner Technical design throughout the life cycle You can: create technical designs characterised by medium risk, impact, and complexity maintain appropriate quality and architectural coherence of a technical design in response to change use feedback to optimise and refine technical designs throughout the life cycle

Framework

Skill

Level