The System Architect ‘s Role in the IT Age

Meghna Arora
4 min readNov 29, 2019

--

https://www.processexam.com/pega/pega-pcssa-certification-exam-syllabus

The System Architect is the skilled professional of the IT and Telecom field. They are regularly involved in the development and implementation strategy of the computer system along with the network. System Architect is typically known as computer systems analysts, creates the hardware, software, and network systems.

They are accountable for implementing, maintaining, and operating these systems. System Architects have a modified approach towards systems to meet the requirements of specific clients. They design backup procedures, troubleshoot problems, implement the resolution, and assure that systems development follows the guidelines.

System Architects can work in the various departments of IT and Telecom. System Architects plan the architecture of a computer system to satisfy client specifications. They design the modules of the systems such that they easily permit unexpected delays in future stages.

Systems Architects study through an organizational business purpose as well as its scope, reasonable, and resources to find out what type of system power it needs. They also study how much data storage the business wants, and the most beautiful user experience a company wants to create for their clients.

In a standard set-up, Systems Architects interface with multiple stakeholders in an organization to support their calls.

Skills Required for System Architect

System Architects should not only continue programming skills, but they also want business and organizational expertise. They should also be able to assign tasks to other members of the IT team so that they can focus on their area of expertise.

Various Levels of System Architects

The System Architect works at multiple levels in IT, from high-level business strategy to low-level project consulting.

1. At the Highest Level:

System Architects serve to define and decide on the right IT strategy and program that will best support long-term business plans and goals.

2. At the Medium Level:

System Architects guide on the best tools, frameworks, hardware, software, and other IT components to achieve mid-term departmental and functional objectives.

3. At the Lowest Level:

System Architects consult with and advise project teams on the particular software, hardware, and other elements required to deliver defined IT project outcomes.

System Architects are business and technology experts. They see business plans and goals, analyze technical solutions and create characters on the right mix of IT elements to accomplish those objectives.

Role of System Architect

System Architects are often senior engineers and strategists and work with stakeholders during IT and the business. They must consume large amounts of information, analyze it for key factors, and provide clear, easily implementable recommendations.

Let’s break down the fundamental parts of a System Architect’s role.

1. Understand the Wanted Business or Departmental Strategy and Result

IT is a crucial part of almost every business process. When the business needs to begin new products, gain efficiencies, or gain a competitive edge, this will be captured in the strategy.

A System Architect will analyze business strategy and consider all essential areas and initiatives with business strategists and high-level managers. They will interpret those requirements into a demand for new or enhanced IT capabilities over the short-, medium-, and long-term.

2. Break down Outcomes into Defined Parts

Once the System Architect knows the business and departmental demands, they will analyze and explain what specific IT capabilities will be required. They will define this in System Architecture documents for the various major initiative. This becomes a valuable reference document to ensure consistency and clarity across all projects and IT implementations.

Documentation may include:

  • The name, purpose, and outcome of the action
  • Ideas for potential software and hardware solutions
  • Key existing infrastructure and applications
  • The main features, functionality, and processes for the enterprise
  • Overall IT methodology and frameworks impacting the effort
  • New staffing or resource requirements

3. Decide on the Right IT Architecture

When the business chooses to perform an initiative, the System Architect will build out the planned IT architecture model. They will recommend particular IT hardware, software, methodologies, and approaches to help the business reach the wanted outcome.

A System Architect uses the following areas into account:

  • New and established technologies
  • Availability, responsiveness, reliability, and flexibility of critical elements
  • End-user and customer requirements and experience
  • IT resources and staffing
  • Alignment with overall goals
  • Special business requirements
  • The existing IT ecosystem
  • Cost control and return on investment
  • Alignment with architecture standards and best practice
  • IT service management and support

4. Understand Integrations, Interfaces, and Interactions

A System Architect doesn’t just focus on IT components in isolation. They also look at integrations with current systems, interfaces with people and other applications, and how users will communicate with the deliverable. UI and UX are becoming an increasingly important part of the System Architect role.

https://www.processexam.com/pega/pega-pcsa-certification-exam-syllabus

5. Advise Project Teams on Suggested Solutions

System architects work jointly with project teams to aid them in turning the architecture and their vision into reality. They can guide on design and build, testing, and implementation. Feedback from engineers and end-users will feedback into system design to ensure it aligns with both business goals and user needs.

Summing-up

The System Architect role is essential to the sharp definition, design, delivery, and support of any IT project. A System Architect analyzes and suggests the right combination of IT components to achieve a specific business, department, team, or functional goal.

They objectively analyze wanted processes and results and advice on the right combination of IT systems and components to achieve those goals. The System Architecture is closely aligned with service design.

--

--

Meghna Arora

I am aspiring for Senior Program & Project, Customer/Client, Operations Management assignments as I am a seasoned PRINCE2 Certified Professional.