On the one hand, the value proposition of an architecture consultant is not just getting a job done, but also to help improve clients’ architecture maturity. The solution architecture must be well documented and presented to the project and architecture review boards to ensure that it satisfies the project constraints and technology standards established by the enterprise/chief architect. In my opinion, a good solution architect is also a software architect. “In the case of a large and complex product, there can be several software architects working with separate teams or with separate product lines while a solution architect provides technical governance of the whole project,” Ivan Mosiev, an AWS-certified solution architect at AltexSoft, explains. A solution architecture document will elaborate and further decompose the target architecture into architecture deliverables for each architecture domain. This dilemma is whether to apply recognized industry standards to developing solution architecture or to leverage clients’ solution architecture operational model and content. Solutions Architect found the articles, information, and resources on this page helpful. On the other hand, firms’ architecture review boards are set in their ways of using their own architecture content, such as solution architecture templates and models. Responsible for the design, development, modification, testing, and/or implementation of software solutions of business and technology initiatives. With a technology landscape that evolves quickly, the roles of IT architects need to adapt as well. They do not represent or reflect any proprietary information I‘ve worked with on any current or prior projects. This is quite different from the goal of solution architecture, which is to define app, data, infra architecture building blocks, dependencies, and address all relevant stakeholders’ concerns. To my surprise, I have observed a common phenomenon in many financial firms large and small with various degrees of architecture maturity of confusing solution architecture with software architecture. Rather, I present my thoughts hoping that this article may help my colleagues better understand the vague differences between two similar but distinct architecture disciplines. This is not meant to be an academic paper. They take the business requirements and turn them into new software solutions that use a company’s emerging technology. Individuals searching for Data Architect vs. In my tenure as a solution architect in financial services working for a global consulting firm, I’ve often been caught in a dilemma. The figure above is a sample of a few common solution architecture diagrams for a loan application use case. Other architecture artifacts such as catalogs and matrices may be used. BIAN Business Scenario Origination - Consumer Loan, The Case for Software Architecture Makeover. Since this role usually spans the entire enterprise it is often … Reviews system requirements and business processes; codes, tests, debugs and implements software solutions. Software engineering diagrams that I found most useful in my days as a software architect are: domain object model class, service component, sequence & deployment diagrams. Works & manages the team in a fast-paced environment on issues of the highest complexity. The software engineering diagrams that I found most useful in my days as a software architect are the domain object model class, service component, sequence, and deployment diagrams. Each domain will address the needs and concerns of the impacted stakeholders who are bound by that domain such as business, technology, operational, risk, legal, etc…. “If I Had More Time, I Would Have Written a Shorter Letter” - Blaise Pascal. This is quite different from the goal of solution architecture, which is to define app, data, infra architecture building blocks, dependencies and address all relevant stakeholders’ concerns. Solution Architecture vs. Software Architecture, Developer A solution architecture document will elaborate and further decompose the target architecture into architecture deliverables for each architecture domain. The solution architecture must be well documented and presented to the project and architecture review boards to ensure that it satisfies the project constraints and technology standards established by the enterprise/chief architect. Domain Architect works within a solution for the domain responsible (i.e. Can a solution architect be a software architect and vice versa? At the very least, it’ll trigger a conversation that may clear my own confusion. Expert in software design, including diverse methods and approaches such as object-oriented design, event-driven design, etc. This solution may span multiple applications. Software architect, usually also a technology SME, will use architecture styles, object oriented analysis and software design patterns to design client and server side software components that implement the web/mobile customer experience (CX), process management, functional and data management application architecture blocks defined in the solution architecture document. A great solution architect knows when solution or software architecture is appropriate. Please note that the actual solution architecture document will also contain a detail description of each domain target architecture and gaps. In my opinion, a good solution architect is also a software architect. BIAN Business Scenario Origination - Consumer Loan. Opinions expressed by DZone contributors are their own. Let’s try to segregate some of these concerns into specific architecture domains: Solution architecture, that best addresses these concerns, will be derived by applying a formal architecture development process and incorporating established organization’s architecture principles and reference architecture in order to define the most optimal technology solution that delivers the desired business outcome. Let’s try to segregate some of these concerns into specific architecture domains: The solution architecture that best addresses these concerns will be derived by applying a formal architecture development process and incorporating established organization’s architecture principles and reference architecture in order to define the most optimal technology solution that delivers the desired business outcome. On the other hand, firms’ architecture review boards are set in their ways of using their own architecture content, such as solution architecture templates and models. At the very least, it’ll trigger a conversation that may clear my own confusion. As I mentioned, the focus of software architecture is to enable application development & delivery. For example, the solution architecture for a loan application digital channel at a fictional bank to allow bank’s customers to apply for a loan online will require an impact assessment of each architecture domain.