Software Architect Requirements
Ask a room full of software architects what they do and many answers will surface. The role of the software architect varies across industries, companies and even within a single enterprise. A core set of activities is common for an architect to assist in the software development process. Achieving success as a software architect can be difficult and those few that do it well are highly sought after and well compensated.
Other People Are Reading
-
Core Technical Requirements
-
Software architects must have a background in coding software using one or more programming languages. This coding experience will be with complex and large-scale solutions in a team environment. Technical expertise is required in one or more complex subjects, such as object-oriented programming, service-oriented architecture, computer security or artificial intelligence. Most job opportunities require a bachelor's degree in computer science with a master's preferred.
Vision and Strategy
-
The software architect must design a software architecture that is durable and flexible to withstand changing business requirements and advances in technology. Understanding software trends and long-term vision are essential to the software architect. Software architects must be able to design and communicate a complex solution when the situation warrants.
-
Soft Skills
-
The software architect must have excellent interpersonal skills. Architects must gain support from many different individuals and groups. They must convince the developers that theirs is the right technical solution and executives that it is the best solution for the company. They must also gather support from business partners. Great organizational skills are required to navigate through politics and relationships to gain and retain support. Large-scale software projects often span multiple years with support from technical teams and leadership crucial to success.
Other Skills
-
Software architects are often the most seasoned software professional involved in a project. Team leads and developers will often look to the software architect when obstacles are encountered. This will require the architect to solve complex coding issues that the team may not have previously encountered. Issues during performance testing often require the architect to determine root cause and design a solution. Depending on the size of the company, the software architect may also be involved when errors or omissions show in the analysis work previously completed. The architect will need to use her analysis and requirements-gathering skills to chart a course acceptable to the business partners and testing team.
-
References
- Photo Credit cd/dvd duplication image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
