What Is an IT Architect?

As a group, architects are well-known. What I mean by this is the folks who create the plans for buildings and other structures. IT architects focus on the digital world, but they are also designers.

An information technology architect is a specialist who develops comprehensive strategies for IT projects across an organisation. They create and oversee the implementation of communications, security, networking, storage, and other IT infrastructure components for businesses and other organisations.

The term “IT architect” is used to refer to a wide variety of architect positions in the IT industry. Those things are:

• Domain Architects. These architects deal with applications, business, data/information, and infrastructure.
• Enterprise Architects. This role encompasses all aspects of IT architecture.
• Security Architects. Security architects focus on the mechanisms, processes, and technologies associated with protecting assets from unauthorized and malicious intruders.
• Solutions Architects. These professionals develop solutions to business issues and problems.

One may, in theory, dedicate themselves solely to one of these subfields. It would be foolish, however, for an IT architect to focus solely on one subfield, given the breadth of the field.

What Does an IT Architect Do?

Take an imaginary scenario. GenericCorp is a promising new business that produces and distributes generic grey garments. As the team prepares for launch, the CEO realises there is no IT department in place.

So they hire an expert to plan everything from the ground up, such as servers, data storage, a network, a private cloud, and security measures. After the initial setup of the IT system, this individual ensures that everything continues to work properly and keeps upper management informed of any changes to the IT department’s budget or staffing levels. Finally, the expert keeps an eye on emerging technologies and processes, all while making preparations for expansion beyond the initial project’s remit.

What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of an IT Architect?

An IT architect’s distinct functions and duties are outlined below. Keep in mind that not every architect will be tasked with these duties. Whether or not your organisation requires more IT resources or personnel depends on a number of factors.

Planner

An IT architect’s job is to sketch out a plan for getting from where things are now to where they need to be. Important milestones and steps should be outlined in this plan.

Presenter and Communicator

It is imperative that professionals in this position effectively convey their vision to all levels of management and any necessary subject matter specialists. In addition, they need to be able to articulate their research to audiences outside of the IT sector. There may be conflicts that need to be resolved, and that is also part of your responsibilities.

Leader

The architect is responsible for designing the structure, while the contractor is in charge of constructing it. In the IT sector, IT architects are the ones who come up with the project and then put it into action, usually with a team. IT architects must take the initiative and serve as leaders by setting clear objectives and ensuring that progress is being made in the right direction.

Stakeholder Manager

The IT architect needs to find the key people involved in the project early on and ask for their advice on the architecture. In order to succeed, IT architects need to understand the overlap between the IT and business worlds and learn to communicate effectively across them.

Consultant and Advisor

IT architects need to be able to forge lasting partnerships with their customers and provide exceptional service. A promising IT architect demystifies the process for the advantage of all parties involved and establishes trust and working relationships by making oneself available to advise and consult.

Change Manager

The importance of this position cannot be overstated. IT architects are change agents because of what they do for a living. They need to be aware of how the alterations may influence many facets of the company, including operations, employees, data, software, and physical infrastructure. These alterations aren’t confined to this particular project, either. To this end, they need to think ahead to potential modifications, such as the implementation of novel procedures or cutting-edge technological enhancements.

Skills Needed to Become IT Architect

The necessary abilities can be roughly classified as “hard skills” and “soft skills,” just like in many other IT-related occupations. The term “hard skills” refers to those acquired through more traditional means, such as attending school or a training programme designed specifically for the work at hand.

Since soft skills are non-technical and often reflect individual differences, they are more elusive to define and assess. Being gregarious and socially proficient, for example, means being able to strike up a conversation with anyone and figure out what they want. Yet, it is also a “soft skill” in the professional world. As a result, it is crucial for teams to effectively communicate with their stakeholders.

Hard Skills

Cloud Computing

The importance of the cloud to the entire digital industry will only increase as more and more IT operations are moved there. Expertise in all of the functions inherent to cloud computing, such as scalability and resource sharing, is required of IT architects.

IT Management

IT architects need skills in managing infrastructure components such servers, storage, networks, and software.

IT Security

The prevalence of online data fraud, hacking, viruses, and other cyberattacks has elevated the importance of cyber security in the digital age.

Systems Architecture

This hard skill covers the behavior, structure, and views of IT systems via a conceptual model. This skill includes modules and sub-systems that function in the overall system.

Virtualization

Virtual machines such as hardware platforms, storage devices, and network resources are critical in today’s IT world. IT architects need to have a solid grasp on how to incorporate virtual resources in their solutions.

Soft Skills

Analytical Skills

While much attention has been paid to data analytics in the modern IT landscape, the analytic abilities we’re discussing here don’t require any kind of technological aid. A person with strong analytical abilities can read between the lines of data and draw sound conclusions. Skills like analysis and problem solving fall under this category.

Communication

Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for this role. On IT teams, direction and explanations of difficult topics are useful for both technical and non-technical staff.

Organizational Skills

IT architects are responsible for so many different tasks — often simultaneously. They must be organized, handling issues like prioritization, resource management, and time management.

Project Management

Everyone isn’t equipped to complete a task successfully. The ability to plan, launch, carry out, monitor, and complete a project so that it meets predetermined objectives and standards.

Observant readers may pick up on the fact that many of the “soft skills” overlap with one another. Simply said, not everyone can be an IT architect. This group of experts is well-organized, vocal, and adept at finding solutions to complex problems.