Solution Architecture
Designing specific IT solutions (applications, systems, integrations) to meet business requirements, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture standards, and considering technical feasibility, performance, security, and cost.
Proficiency Level
Level 1 (Follow)
- Follows existing solution design documents or architectural patterns when developing, configuring, or testing specific components of a system.
- Understands the basic architecture (e.g., main components, interfaces) of the specific solution they are working on.
- Uses standard tools or platforms according to the solution design.
Level 2 (Assist)
- Assists solution architects by documenting specific parts of a solution design (e.g., detailing component specifications, creating sequence diagrams) based on their guidance.
- Helps research technical options or specific products to meet defined functional or non-functional requirements.
- Supports the creation or updating of architectural diagrams using standard modelling tools.
Level 3 (Apply)
- Designs specific components, modules, or subsystems of a larger IT solution based on defined business requirements and under the guidance of senior architects or existing architectural patterns.
- Creates detailed technical design specifications for the components they are responsible for.
- Evaluates different technology choices or implementation approaches for specific technical problems within the solution.
Level 4 (Ensure)
- Leads the end-to-end architectural design of complex IT solutions, translating business requirements into robust, scalable, secure, and maintainable technical designs.
- Makes key technology choices and architectural decisions, ensuring the solution meets all functional and critical non-functional requirements (e.g., performance, reliability, security).
- Ensures the solution architecture aligns with Enterprise Architecture standards, principles, and roadmaps, and effectively communicates the design to stakeholders and development teams.
Level 5 (Strategise)
- Develops reusable solution architecture patterns, reference architectures, and design standards for common business problems or technology domains within the organisation.
- Provides architectural leadership, oversight, and governance across multiple projects or product teams.
- Evaluates emerging technologies and architectural trends, assessing their potential applicability and impact on future solution designs.
- Mentors and develops other solution architects.