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Career Development for Architects

Kevin FrancisNational Practice and Productivity ManagerObject Consulting

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What We Will Cover

My background and work in this areaTypes of ArchitectsPaths into ArchitectureSo what makes a good Architect anyway?Paths from ArchitectureSetting yourself apart from the restQ&A

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My backgroundWhy should I be talking about this?

Developer and OperationsArchitect and ConsultantEnterprise ArchitectProject Manager and Business OwnerPrincipal ArchitectDelivery ManagerExecutive ManagerMVP and community work

4 Solution ArchitectSolution Architect

Application Application ArchitectArchitect

Application ArchitectApplication Architect

Application Application ArchitectArchitect

Data ArchitectData Architect

User Interface ArchitectUser Interface Architect

Application ArchitectApplication Architect

Types of ArchitectsIt isn't all about code… Integration Integration

ArchitectArchitect

Infrastructure Infrastructure ArchitectArchitect

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Paths into ArchitectureIt still isn't all about code…

DeveloperDeveloper

Solution Solution ArchitectArchitect

UI UI ArchitectArchitect

Business Business AnalystAnalyst

Almost Almost AnyoneAnyone

Business Business AnalystAnalystIT SupportIT Support

Snr Data Snr Data ArchitectArchitect

SOA SOA ArchitectArchitect

Snr Project Snr Project ManagerManager

Infrastructure Infrastructure ManagerManager

Integration Integration ArchitectArchitect

Data Data ArchitectArchitect

Project Project ManagerManager

Infrastructure Infrastructure ArchitectArchitect

Application Application ArchitectArchitect

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What is Architecture?It's all about technology, right?

Designing all or part of a system to meet the functional and non-functional requirementsDesigning the delivery approachManaging riskDelivering to budgetManaging the customerManaging changeExplaining what needs to be doneManaging the development team

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Making Developers into ArchitectsAn Architect isn't just a smart Developer

Technical things you need:The whole pictureDetail in part of the picturePatterns and practicesThe product stack

Non-technical things:Leadership skillsCommunication skillsProject management

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Making Developers into ArchitectsWhat should developers learn?

Study Patterns and PracticesRead about the product stack etcStudy methodologiesUndertake Architecture TrainingUndertake Project Management TrainingConsider communications trainingLook around you, become more involvedGet prepared to leave code behind

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So What Makes a Good Architect?The hard stuff

Technology knowledge: Technologies – broad and narrowProduct stackScalabilitySecurity – inside and outside the networkReliability

Design capabilities:Patterns and practicesSOA, UI design, workflow

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So What Makes a Good Architect?The sort-of soft stuff

Project Management skills:Scope managementChange managementRequirements managementContract managementEstimationSchedule management

Methodologies. That’s plural.Test Approaches & Management

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So What Makes a Good Architect?The soft stuff

Presentation skillsTeam leading skillsMentoring skillsExcellent writing skillsExcellent communication skills

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Paths from ArchitectureYou can't be an architect forever

Delivery Delivery Manager, etcManager, etc

Infrastructure Infrastructure Manager, etcManager, etc

CTOCTOCIOCIO Other ExecutiveOther Executive

Infrastructure Infrastructure ManagerManager

SOA SOA ArchitectArchitect

Snr Data Snr Data ArchitectArchitect

Snr Project Snr Project ManagerManager

Solution Solution ArchitectArchitect

Enterprise Architect or ConsultantEnterprise Architect or Consultant

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Paths from ArchitectureExecutive traits

People management skillsOperational skillsCost management skillsProject governance capabilitiesVery senior communication skillsBusiness strategyChange management

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Creating the Next StepWhat you should be doing…

An MBA? Maybe…Real experience in any case.Focus on:

Project executionOperationalInfrastructureFinancial managementPeople and communications. Mentor lots and well!Be visible. Become well recognised.

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Call to ActionWhat should you be doing?

Developers: build your architecture skills, etc; look outside your cubicleJunior Architects: work on your not-so soft and soft skills; complete your architecture knowledgeSenior Architect, do an MBA or start learning other stuff somehowRegardless, think more broadly. Look around you. Listen. Be prepared to move on and leave stuff behind.Actively manage your career!

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Kevin FrancisBlog: http://msmvps.com/blogs/architecture/Email: kevin.francis@objectconsulting.com.au www.objectconsulting.com.auwww.objecttraining.com.au