Solution Architect

Summary

A solution architect is responsible for a single solution. They usually work independently on solutions where risk is low. They also often support or contribute to work led by more senior solution architects.

At this role level, you will:

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

be proactive in identifying opportunities to improve the organisation

follow best practice for solution design

use emerging technologies and approaches

help your team achieve its objective

Background

Description	Background
Is familiar with the systems development lifecycle and typical problems associated with the implementation and operation of information systems, and has an appreciation of both functional and non-functional requirements. Is aware of the organisation's IT infrastructure and software development and maintenance methods, tools and techniques. Is familiar with the organisation's IT strategy, policies and standards, and any industry regulations/constraints. Is aware 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 operation of information systems, and has an appreciation of both functional and non-functional requirements. Is aware of the organisation's IT infrastructure and software development and maintenance methods, tools and techniques. Is familiar with the organisation's IT strategy, policies and standards, and any industry regulations/constraints. Is aware 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 4)	Supports a change programme or project through the preparation of technical plans and application of design principles that comply with enterprise and solution architecture standards (including security).
Technical assurance (ARCH)(Level 4)	Participates in quality reviews (e.g. fitness for purpose, quality attributes, non-functional requirements, risk) of solution architecture components.

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.
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.
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.	Familiar with
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).	Aware of
Networking and Communications	The planning and management of the interaction between two or more networking systems, computers or other intelligent devices.	Aware of
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.	Familiar with
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).	Aware of
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.	Familiar with
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.	Familiar with
Middleware	Software which forms part of the operating platform infrastructure.	Familiar with
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.	Aware of
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.	Familiar with
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.	Familiar with
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.	Familiar with

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.	Familiar with
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.	Aware of
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.	Familiar with
Techniques for Effective Meetings	Methods and techniques for running effective meetings and for understanding and influencing the roles played by participants.	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.
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
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

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.	Working Community collaboration You can: contribute to the work of others motivate and empower teams create the right environment for teams to work in, and can identify the best team makeup depending on the situation recognise and deal with issues
Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework	Making architectural decisions	Working Making architectural decisions You can: work with others to make architectural design decisions characterised by managed levels of risk and complexity identify and address architectural risks relevant to your team or domain, for example, business, data, or security engage with architectural governance and assurance to effectively manage decisions and risks, with support
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	Working Technical design throughout the life cycle You can: create technical designs characterised by managed levels of risk, impact, and complexity provide guidance and support to teams using technical designs throughout the life cycle adapt a technical design if needed during delivery work with well-understood technology and identify appropriate patterns

Framework

Skill

Level