IT Architects and Engineers

12/30/2009

David Champeau - ECM Consultant

IT Architects and Engineers◦ Different roles and responsibilities◦ Different backgrounds, education, thought

processes◦ Work together and overlap knowledge bases

Introduction

There are many flavors◦ Enterprise Architect◦ Solution Architect◦ System Architect◦ Application Architect◦ Software Architect

IT Architects

Then there are more specialized architects◦ Network Architect◦ Storage Architect◦ Security Architect◦ Infrastructure Architect◦ Portal Architect

IT Architects

Now there are new, emerging disciplines◦ Process Architect◦ Information Architect

IT Architects

The term “architect” was borrowed from the building trades

It describes the “design” aspect of the job The word “architect” is regulated in many

US states

Architect defined

The architect (working with other SMEs like plumbers and electricians) designs a house

A lot of detail is put into the design There are many different views that make up

the overall design The design is done before any nail is

pounded or cement poured If new techniques (technologies) are to be

used then tests are run, prototypes built◦ But the house is not started without the design

completed and signed off

Designing a house

My builder once told me “he (the architect) never pounded a nail.”

The design can change as the house is built Some things are missed Details are added or changed

◦ Walls are moved

Building a house

Even thought the builder is required to change some of the details because something is missed or added, the details are put on paper by the architect before the foundation is poured

It is the architects job to think things through as much as possible

And this can only be done on “paper” (or Visio, etc.)

Details

The Enterprise Architect works with stakeholders, both leadership and SMEs, to build a holistic view of the organization’s strategy, process, information and information technology assets

The role is to take this knowledge and ensure that the business and IT are in alignment

Enterprise Architect

Strategic Thinking◦ Across projects

System Interactions◦ Highly Abstracted

Communication◦ Across Organization

Design◦ Minimal, High Level

Enterprise Architect

Delivered successfully, an enterprise architecture has the potential to allow both the business and IT strategies to enable and drive each other

Enterprise Architecture

Responsibilities◦ Alignment of IT strategy and planning with

business goals◦ Optimization of information management

approaches ◦ Work with other architects, SMEs, engineers

Enterprise Architect

In today’s complex, specialized, interconnected world, IT projects require a team of architects to design a complex system

IT Architects

Enterprise Architect◦ Like a city planner

Provide the roadmaps and regulations used to manage city growth and services

System Architect◦ Plans one or more buildings

Software Architect◦ Plans Heating, Ventilation and A/C

Network Architect◦ Plans plumbing, electricity, water and sewer

IT Architects

There are many flavors◦ Software Engineer◦ Security Engineer◦ Network Engineer◦ Performance Engineer◦ Release Deployer◦ IT Administrator◦ System Tester◦ Front End Java Script Engineer

IT Engineers

Design and Build things◦ Software engineer will design a program for a

specific task or function and then write the code◦ IT Administrator will write scripts to monitor a

component of a system◦ System tester will write scripts or configure a tool

to test a system

IT Engineers

Architects design Engineers build Architects would do well to have spent

some time as engineers

Confusing

Architect◦ Sees a bigger picture◦ Able to communicate

the future state◦ Works and

communicates well with others

◦ Comprehensive knowledge of many areas

◦ Uses multiple methodologies

Skills and Knowledge Engineer

◦ More detail focused◦ Able to work alone or

in a team◦ Detailed knowledge

of a few select areas◦ Understands how to

build and test◦ Uses methodoligies

Architects design before anything is built Engineers take the design and determine

how to build (or if it can be built) The more effort put into the design, the

greater the chance for success The better the communication, the greater

the chance for success

Summary