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The Profession Of IT Architecture
1. The Profession of IT Architecture
Christopher Grant
Sr. Architect, Gap Inc. Direct
02/01/2010
Columbus Architecture Group
2. Objectives
• Challenges
▫ Highlight some of the challenges managers and
professional face in understanding what IT
architecture is.
• Architecture in the Organization
▫ Expand our view of architecture and see how it fits
in the organization
• The Role of Architect
▫ Discuss aspects of various architect types and
what skills / focus is required in each
4. Current understanding
• People have a vague idea what an architect does
▫ They design an implementation
▫ They are subject matter experts
▫ They may also approve other designs
5. How to become an Architect
• Promotion due to seniority
▫ Bob’s been a Sr. Developer for a long time,
promote him to Architect
• Promotion due to expertise
▫ Fred really knows his stuff, lets make
him an architect
• Proactive move to Architecture
▫ Karen applies for new positions in Architecture
6. Architecture is not Development
• Architecture is a different field than Development
• Many great developers don’t thrive in architecture
▫ Many end up as developers with an Architect title
• Architects utilize different skills
▫ Less development
▫ Project Management
▫ Working with people
▫ Communication
7. What Architect jobs are out there
• IT Architect
• Enterprise Architect
• Solution Architect
• Data Warehouse Architect
• Technical Architect
• SOA Java Architect
• Application Architect
• EDI System Architect
• Security Architect
9. Job Descriptions
• Solution Architect: Candidates must be
consultative, seasoned veterans who can manage
relationships with multiple internal and external
parties, present extremely well at the executive
level, and contribute with technical expertise to
the work of the internal solution development
staff.
10. Job Descriptions
• Systems Architect: The System Architect will
serve as a SharePoint .NET Developer and will
be responsible for assisting in the development
and implementation of e-Forms and Electronic
Case Files.
11. Job Descriptions
• Enterprise Technical Architect: Performs the
leadership, facilitation, analysis and design tasks
required for the development of an enterprise
technical architecture (ETA) for the project
12. What a mess
• Lack of standard terminology
• Varying expectations
• Wide range of skill sets
• How can leaders ensure proper skills coverage
• How can professionals plan a career path
• How can mangers evaluate and guide Architects
14. Types of Architecture
• To understand what architects do we need to
look at the environment they work in
• In the next section we’ll look at how Architecture
is segmented and fits in an IT organization
15. Methods and Frameworks
• Zachman
• Togaf
• Archimate
• National Institute of Health
• Integrated Architecture Framework
16. Zachman
Vertical
Scope {contextual} Planner
Business Model {conceptual} Owner
System Model {logical} Designer
Technology Model {physical} Builder
Detailed Representation {out-of-context} Subcontractor
Functioning Enterprise
Horizontal
What - Data
How - Function
Where - Network
Who - People
When - Time
Why - Motivation
• Categorizes Architecture based on a Grid
23. Enterprise Architecture Areas
• Business Architecture (What)
▫ What do they do
▫ Who does it
▫ Which information do they use
▫ Where is it done
• Information Architecture (How)
▫ Data Architecture
▫ Integration Architecture
▫ Application Architecture
• Technology Architecture (Where)
▫ Systems Architecture
▫ Infrastructure
▫ Network
▫ Hardware
25. What is an architect
The Open Group states:
• An IT Architect defines
solutions to client business
problems through the reasoned
application of information
technology.
• Those solutions are
documented as architectures and
can include systems, applications,
and process components.
http://www.opengroup.org/itac/cert/docs/ITAC_Conformance_Requirements.pdf
26. Definition Simplified
• High level
▫ Solves a technical problem
▫ Communicates the solution
▫ Verifies implementation follows communicated
solution
27. Architect v. Developer
• Developer
▫ Problem: How to implement the Data Access Layer
▫ Focused on solving an individual task
▫ Communication: Little to none
▫ Verifies Implementation: Often implements personally
• Architect
▫ Problem: How to integrate the Data Layer Business
Logic and UI
▫ Planning for multiple efforts
▫ Communication: Working with multiple developers
▫ Verifies Implementation: Participates in code /
implementation reviews
29. Role Differentiation
• Architect role is defined by
▫ Focus – what elements
does the solution cover
▫ Time – What is the length
of time needed to
implement the solution
Enterprise Architect
Domain Architect
Application
Architect
Focus
Planning Horizon
30.
31. Application Architect
• The designer
• Focused on the right way to use a specific
technology
• Tends to be feature oriented
• Tend to evolve from Sr. Developers
• The most detailed level of architecture
• Industry based Knowledge
• Audience: Developers
32. Application Architect
• Would utilizes design patterns
• Implement the best solution for a specific task
• Lead developer often fills this role
• Very few work products are actually produced
• Whiteboards or code stubs used to communicate
33. Solution Architect
• The coordinator
• Project oriented
• Coordinates with multiple domain architects to
design the most appropriate solution.
• Knowledge of managing people /projects
34. Solution Architect
• Designs solutions that meet project requirements
as well as domain and enterprise architecture
guidelines.
• Communication: presents solution to a
governance board. Also explains the solution to a
developer
• Work products are eventually owned by the
domain architect.
• Audience: App Architects / Developers
35. Domain Architect
• The owner
• Focus on all aspects of a specific area
• Eg. Application owner would be interested in
integration, security, performance, runtime, etc
• Audience: Solution Architects, Application
Architects, Enterprise Architects, Business
Partners
• A role few are prepared for
36. Domain Architect
• Mostly maintains the now, but supports
planning for the future
• Primarily focused on maintain a specific area of
technology or a specific application
• Owners and gatekeepers for a specific area
• The work in this area is primarily concerned
with the current state of the system.
• Guides designs to meet the overall objectives of
the domain.
• Knowledge as Subject Matter Expert
37. Enterprise Architect
• The planner
• Focuses on cross domain considerations
• Long term objectives
• Processes and governance
• Audience: CIO/CTO, All other Architects
• Note: tends to get business direction through
CIO/CTO or Domain Architects.
38. Enterprise Architect
• Concentrates on how the various domains or
subject areas interact
• This layer spends even more time focusing on
how technology will be utilized in the future
• Governs how it is used today
• Create technology roadmaps
• This layer views the enterprise as a holistic
entity.
• Knowledge of “this” Business
39.
40. Example Roles
• Architects do the following
▫ Solve Technical Problems
▫ Communicate the solution
▫ Verify Implementation
• Lets look at some examples using these criteria
41. Application Architect
• Problem
▫ How to implement a feature request
• Communication
▫ Verbal, POC, Detailed Design Doc
• Verification
▫ Code reviews, Story Sign Off
• Timeframe
▫ Weeks
42. Domain Architect
• Problem
1. Enable correct usage of current system
2. Manage future business and tech requirements
• Communication
1. Current state documentation
2. Plan Technology Roadmap
• Verification
1. Architecture reviews
2. Work with Business and IT leadership to ensure
roadmap items are in project portfolio
• Timeframe
▫ Months
43. Enterprise Architect
• Problem
1. Enable standard internal develop practices
2. Plan for new line of business
• Communication
1. Documentation, Presentations, 1:1
2. Work with multiple domain architects
• Implementation
1. Architecture reviews, SDLC Processes
2. Coordinate projects in IT Portfolio
• Timeframe
▫ Years
44. Core Skills
• Technology
▫ Technical expertise in one or more areas
▫ Manage Stakeholder Requirements
▫ Define Solution to Functional and non-functional
requirements
▫ Validate Conformance of the solution to the
architecture
45. Core Skills
• People
▫ Understanding People
▫ Collaborating with others
▫ Listening to Understand
▫ Lead Individuals & Teams
46. Core Skills
• Planning
▫ Manage Architectural Elements of an IT Project Plan
▫ Understand Business Aspects
▫ Predicting and Forecasting
▫ Goal Setting
51. Closing
• One Architect can fill multiple roles and in
multiple areas
• More than one architect may be needed for one
area and role
• These are discussion points
• Mold them to meet your needs
• Understand the needs of your organization
• Understand the skills / focus for each role
• Take a proactive approach to the
profession of IT Architecture
