What exactly does an IT architect do? It’s an interesting question for anybody looking to pursue a career in this field, but also for anybody who works in IT, as there isn’t a solid definition of the job within the industry.
Architects with similar skill-sets and similar tasks may be referred to as enterprise architects, project architects, data, technical, solution, business, application, security, SOA, and cloud architects. What makes these roles different and what is that they have in common? Not that long ago, there were few people who used the term ‘architect’ to describe anybody in IT. So, what and why has this changed?
How Does an IT Architect Differ from a Traditional Architect?
So, how is an IT architect different from somebody who designs buildings? Interestingly, there is often an expectation in IT that the designer or architect is also the builder. On the other hand, it’s rare to see builders in brick and mortar construction who follow a career path from pouring foundations and hanging drywall to coming up with the blueprints and designs for the entire building. However, it’s relatively common in IT to see developers become architects. This is mainly down to the fact that IT is far more dynamic than traditional building design; the industry is re-invented every few years and IT architects need to understand more of the technology associated with what gets built.
What Skills are Needed?
In order to become a successful IT architect, there is a specific skill-set required. IT architects primarily possess technical skills in designing, architecting, and constructing enterprise-class IT services and solutions. They will tend to develop IT architectures using methodical diagrams that define specifications, business, and IT models, implementation roadmaps, and several other guidelines. In addition, the role involves ensuring that the underlying IT architecture delivers the capabilities that address both current and future company needs. Depending on the requirements and the environment, an IT architect can create software, network, enterprise, security and database architectures.
How to Become an IT Architect:
Since there is not yet a clear definition within the industry of the role of an IT architect, there are several methods and routes that can be followed in order to get into this position. However, it’s essential for individuals looking to work as an IT architect to have a strong understanding of and foundation in information technology, either through studying for a degree program or from past work experience. In order to improve your chances of landing a career as an IT architect, you may also want to consider completing additional vocational training programs, such as CCNA training, which can be particularly useful for those looking to specialise in network and enterprise IT architecture. findcourses.com is a great place to start if you’re interested comparing CCNA training courses from top providers.
IT architects tend to be experienced developers and IT professionals who work to put together designs and blueprints for new software programs, networks, databases and more. Although the role is not yet clearly defined within the industry, there are several IT architect opportunities available for those with a strong history in IT.