You know the saying, “The only 100% secure system is one that’s switched off and unplugged.” It’s the same thing with solution architecture.
“The only system which is truly secure is one which is switched off and unplugged locked in a titanium lined safe, buried in a concrete bunker, and is surrounded by nerve gas and very highly paid armed guards. Even then, I wouldn’t stake my life on it.”
– Gene Spafford, Director, Computer Operations, Audit, and Security Technology (COAST) Project, Purdue University
There is no single solution that is suitable for every situation. Every decision is a trade-off between speed, quality, budget, future-proofing, complexity, and many other parameters. The role of the solution architect is to balance those parameters.
Benefits of Good Solution Architecture for a Project
If you have read our previous article about a Solution Architect’s role, you must understand how significant a good software architecture is for a project.
This article will explain how it can help you in your project and why you should invest in good software architecture. Here are the 6 main benefits our Senior Solution Architect told us about:
- Linking technologies with business needs and perspectives
One of the most significant challenges of software product development is meeting the stakeholders’ requirements. An SA covers the risks of product misalignment with business needs and ensures that the solution fits the defined purpose. - Filling the communication gap between technical and non-technical specialists
A Solution Architect regularly notifies stakeholders about product development processes, goals, issues, costs, estimates, etc. An SA translates technical project details into a clear language that management and non-technical stakeholders can understand. - Helping in estimation and costing
For a better budget, it is advised to invest sufficiently in estimation. A Solution Architect ensures that the amount of costs and resources is controlled while meeting the stakeholders’ requirements. This helps with budget forecasting and resource planning. A Solution Architect also analyzes project details and identifies areas where changes could lead to cost savings. - Helping in risk management
There is a need to understand that software development always has a significant risk. A Solution Architect identifies and mitigates risks via tests in performance, security, and user experience, and eliminates any factors that may impede a solution’s successful delivery. - Selecting the project technology stack
Selection of technology stack for product development is one of the most challenging of a Solution Architect’s tasks. There are a lot of different platforms, programming languages, and tools. An SA’s role here is to find which technologies will be the most suitable for a project. - Enabling quicker changes in IT Systems
In today’s reality, there is increased demand for systems to change quickly and proactively respond to rapidly evolving business needs and legal requirements.
Conclusion
With a Solution Architect, a project has a higher chance of seeing a successful launch.
A Solution Architect builds a working ecosystem that maintains a global vision throughout all the project phases to achieve a scalable and stable product.
If you want to think long term and build software that will support any sort of growth and change – consider having a good Solution Architect on the project.
