In any Software Development projects there are 2 important roles or phases - Solution Architecture Design and Technical Architecture Design, these sound similar but there is a difference and lets take a look at it.
Many project teams overlap these 2 roles in their resource loading for a project and often this will lead to confusion and issues related to accountability on the overall Technical outcome of the project.
“What are the roles and responsibilities of an Architect in a Software Project ? are these around Technology or Solutioning and designing solution components ?"
Solution Architecture vs Technical Architecture in a glance
Typically Solution Architect focuses on designing a solution for a problem and defining the individual building blocks of that solution in the form of solution components. And its the role of Technical Architect to design each of these defined Solution components in line with the Technology platform of choice that is finalized or being recommended for the project.
A Solution Architect must understand the overall problem statement from the business side also and so should be presenting different solutions that make up the entire system, in this designing phase Technology and Platform Stack choices are not very relevant and can only be referenced from the perspective of ease of stacking up the individual solution building blocks.
If the problem definition is very standard then solutioning will be easy and services organizations must keep and maintain solution blue prints that can be used across different engagements. These Solution blue prints typically address a problem statement, business problem or a workflow. The blue prints can also be taken one level down to the designing of a Solution component - a reporting system, or business rules system etc.
A Technical Architect in general understands Technology to the core and is an expert of one platform or programming language, will understand the implementation of a solutioning component and in general relies on re usability of technical solution components and also contributes to the overall organization repository of technical components.
The overall project structure, source code handling (including branching, merging rules, techniques), selection of third party components, coding standards and guidelines to be followed, implementing or deploying the necessary cross cutting design programs and establishing a formal secure code review process. In general a Technical Architect implements at least one complex solution component and in the process finalizes the flow from the front end to back end covering all the layers and the common components for this particular piece.
Deployment Design is generally done by a Infrastructure Architect, in the absence of a dedicated role these tasks can be taken care by either of the roles mentioned above.
Technical Architect more or less remains through out the life of the project whereas the Solution Architect does the initial heavy lifting (mostly during pre-sales and initial planning phases).
In terms of career progression Solution Architect is at a higher level than the Technical Architect and this is not natural since Solution Architect also has capabilities which are more towards on problem solving etc.
With respect to Salaries a solution architect is paid more than the technical architect, in our opinion the difference is 30%
With respect to bill rates that we can charge a customer the pricing is high for solution architect and it can actually go very high depending on the overall size and complexity of the underlying application or product being designed. We have seen a premium of 40% higher bill rates for solution architect vs technical architect.
Lets get into some more details on articulating the differences between the roles also (solution architect vs technical architect)
Scope: Solution architecture tends to focus on a specific business problem and designs a solution to address it, while technical architecture concentrates on the overall technology strategy, standards, and governance.
Detail Level: Technical architecture usually dives deeper into the details of technologies to be used, coding standards, and integration protocols. In contrast, solution architecture is more concerned with aligning the proposed solution with business needs and requirements.
Business Alignment: Solution architecture often involves a significant degree of alignment with business strategy, objectives, and processes. Technical architecture, on the other hand, is generally more focused on technological considerations.
Breadth of View: Solution architecture typically encompasses a broader view, including business, information, and technology aspects. Technical architecture often looks more narrowly at the technological components.
Time Horizon: Solution architecture is usually more project-focused with a shorter time horizon, while technical architecture often has a longer-term perspective, ensuring technological solutions are future-proof and scalable.
Stakeholder Engagement: Solution architects frequently interact with business stakeholders, understanding their needs, and communicating how the solution meets those needs. Technical architects often engage more with development teams and IT stakeholders.
Implementation Responsibility: While both roles may oversee implementation to some degree, technical architects often have a more hands-on role in overseeing the implementation of technology standards, while solution architects may focus more on ensuring the solution is implemented in alignment with the designed architecture.
Change Management: Solution architecture often involves a higher degree of change management, ensuring that the organization is ready to adopt the new solution. Technical architecture is more likely to deal with the introduction and governance of new technologies.
Risk Management: Both roles involve risk management, but the focus differs. Solution architects often identify and manage risks associated with meeting business requirements, while technical architects manage risks associated with the use and implementation of technology.
Technology Selection: Technical architects often have a significant role in selecting specific technologies, platforms, and standards to be used in the organization. Solution architects, while they do need to understand these technologies, are more likely to focus on how the chosen technologies can be integrated and utilized to solve the specific business problem.
Challenges and Considerations in Implementing Both Architectures
Implementing both Solution Architecture and Technical Architecture in a software development project brings about specific challenges and considerations. This section explores those potential challenges and offers insights into handling them.
Potential Conflicts and Overlaps
Scope Confusion: The delineation between Solution Architecture, focusing on business alignment, and Technical Architecture, emphasizing technical frameworks, may become blurry. This confusion might lead to conflicts in decision-making and redundancy in efforts.
Roles and Responsibilities Overlaps: Solution Architects and Technical Architects may find themselves overlapping in certain areas, causing confusion in ownership and accountability.
Integration Issues: Bridging the gap between high-level solution planning and detailed technical design might present integration challenges. A lack of coherence between these two aspects may lead to inefficiencies.
Collaborative Strategies
Clear Definitions and Boundaries: Establishing clear definitions and boundaries between the roles of Solution Architect and Technical Architect can prevent conflicts. This clarity ensures that each architect knows their responsibilities and areas of ownership.
Regular Communication and Collaboration: Encouraging open dialogue and collaboration between the Solution and Technical Architects ensures alignment and coherence in design and implementation. Regular meetings, documentation, and shared tools can facilitate this collaboration.
Unified Vision and Goals: Ensuring that both Solution and Technical Architects work towards common organizational goals helps in minimizing conflicts and overlaps. A shared understanding of the project’s objectives and stakeholder expectations can bridge gaps.
Ethical and Compliance Considerations
Data Security and Privacy: Both architectures must adhere to relevant data protection regulations, such as GDPR. Collaboration between Solution and Technical Architects ensures that the system design complies with all legal requirements.
Ethical Design Principles: Implementing ethical principles in both Solution and Technical Architecture helps in building systems that are fair, transparent, and responsible. Collaboration between the two roles can help in achieving these ethical goals.
Implementing both Solution and Technical Architecture is a complex but essential aspect of successful software development. By understanding potential conflicts and overlaps, employing collaborative strategies, and adhering to ethical and compliance considerations, organizations can realize the full benefits of both architectures. This approach not only minimizes challenges but also fosters a culture of collaboration and shared ownership, leading to more efficient and effective project execution.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while both Solution Architecture and Technical Architecture play crucial roles in the realm of technology and business, they each bring a distinct focus and set of responsibilities. Solution Architecture, concerned with designing comprehensive solutions to business problems, complements Technical Architecture, which dwells on the overall technology strategy, standards, and technology-specific details.
Understanding the differences between these two (Solution Architecture vs Technical Architecture) can provide clarity in terms of expectations and responsibilities, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of your technology and business strategy. Remember, neither is superior to the other; instead, they coexist, bringing different perspectives and skills to create a well-rounded, comprehensive approach to business problem-solving through technology.
References, Citations, and Further Exploration
Below are examples of references, citations, and further exploration that you might include. These could provide the necessary context, theoretical foundation, and practical insights related to the differences between Solution Architecture and Technical Architecture:
Books and Academic Sources
Bass, L., Clements, P., & Kazman, R. (2012). Software Architecture in Practice (3rd ed.). Addison-Wesley.
Rozanski, N., & Woods, E. (2011). Software Systems Architecture: Working With Stakeholders Using Viewpoints and Perspectives (2nd ed.). Addison-Wesley.
Journal Articles
Wang, X., Zhou, X., & Jiang, S. (2016). "A Comparative Study of Solution Architecture and Technical Architecture in Software Engineering." International Journal of Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering, 26(7), 897-912.
Online Resources
IBM. (n.d.). The Role of the Architect. Retrieved from IBM's official website.
Gartner. (2021). The Convergence of Solution and Technical Architecture. Retrieved from Gartner's Research Portal.
Standards and Guidelines
The Open Group. (2017). TOGAF – The Open Group Architecture Framework. Retrieved from The Open Group's official website.