Career Development for Architects

Career Development for Architects Kevin Francis National Practice and Productivity Manager Object Consulting

What We Will Cover
My background and work in this area
Types of Architects
Paths into Architecture
So what makes a good Architect anyway?
Paths from Architecture
Setting yourself apart from the rest
Q&A

My background Why should I be talking about this?
Developer and Operations
Architect and Consultant
Enterprise Architect
Project Manager and Business Owner
Principal Architect
Delivery Manager
Executive Manager
MVP and community work

Types of Architects It isn't all about code … Solution Architect Application Architect Application Architect Application Architect Data Architect User Interface Architect Application Architect Integration Architect Infrastructure Architect

Paths into Architecture It still isn't all about code … Developer Solution Architect UI Architect Business Analyst Almost Anyone Business Analyst IT Support Snr Data Architect SOA Architect Snr Project Manager Infrastructure Manager Integration Architect Data Architect Project Manager Infrastructure Architect Application Architect

What is Architecture? It's all about technology, right?
Designing all or part of a system to meet the functional and non-functional requirements
Designing the delivery approach
Managing risk
Delivering to budget
Managing the customer
Managing change
Explaining what needs to be done
Managing the development team

Making Developers into Architects An Architect isn't just a smart Developer
Technical things you need:
The whole picture
Detail in part of the picture
Patterns and practices
The product stack
Non-technical things:
Leadership skills
Communication skills
Project management

Making Developers into Architects What should developers learn?
Study Patterns and Practices
Read about the product stack etc
Study methodologies
Undertake Architecture Training
Undertake Project Management Training
Consider communications training
Look around you, become more involved
Get prepared to leave code behind

So What Makes a Good Architect? The hard stuff
Technology knowledge:
Technologies – broad and narrow
Product stack
Scalability
Security – inside and outside the network
Reliability
Design capabilities:
Patterns and practices
SOA, UI design, workflow

So What Makes a Good Architect? The sort-of soft stuff
Project Management skills:
Scope management
Change management
Requirements management
Contract management
Estimation
Schedule management
Methodologies. That’s plural.
Test Approaches & Management

So What Makes a Good Architect? The soft stuff
Presentation skills
Team leading skills
Mentoring skills
Excellent writing skills
Excellent communication skills

Paths from Architecture You can't be an architect forever Delivery Manager, etc Infrastructure Manager, etc CTO CIO Other Executive Infrastructure Manager SOA Architect Snr Data Architect Snr Project Manager Solution Architect Enterprise Architect or Consultant

Paths from Architecture Executive traits
People management skills
Operational skills
Cost management skills
Project governance capabilities
Very senior communication skills
Business strategy
Change management

Creating the Next Step What you should be doing …
An MBA? Maybe…
Real experience in any case.
Focus on:
Project execution
Operational
Infrastructure
Financial management
People and communications. Mentor lots and well!
Be visible. Become well recognised.

Call to Action What should you be doing?
Developers: build your architecture skills, etc; look outside your cubicle
Junior Architects: work on your not-so soft and soft skills; complete your architecture knowledge
Senior Architect, do an MBA or start learning other stuff somehow
Regardless, think more broadly. Look around you. Listen. Be prepared to move on and leave stuff behind.
Actively manage your career!

Kevin Francis Blog: http://msmvps.com/blogs/architecture/ Email: [email_address] www.objectconsulting.com.au www.objecttraining.com.au

Career Development for Architects

by Kevin Francis

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