Comments on Water Droplets - Karthik Vijayakumar's Weblog: Solution Architecture - How is this different from...

Derek,

I'm glad you bumped into my blog aft...

2008-06-25T20:16:00.000+05:30

Derek,

I'm glad you bumped into my blog after a 'real' hurdle of blogs. Hope it helps.

Adrian,

Thanks for posting the link!

Best,
Karthik

The TOGAF definitions for Architect roles can be s...

2008-06-25T20:10:00.000+05:30

The TOGAF definitions for Architect roles can be seen at
http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf8-doc/arch/chap30.html

See also my definitions at
http://iea.wikidot.com/ea-roles

-Adrian Campbell

I was glad to see that you cited the source of the...

2008-06-25T19:49:00.000+05:30

I was glad to see that you cited the source of these roles as being from the Open Group. It is definitely true that the word "Architect" is an extremely overloaded term in the IT and software development industries, but it can only be said that the term is being "abused" or "misused" relative to some standard definition. Moreover, it can only be stated to be so in absolute terms relative to an absolute standard, of which there is none. So, one's definition of an Enterprise Architect can be incorrect according to the Open Group standard, but correct according to some other standard (formal or otherwise). That is to say, there is no universally correct answer, but only correct answers relative to their relation to a given standards body. At any rate, thanks for the post, as it spawned a chain of discussions on the topic (I got here from a blog that mentioned a blog that mentioned a blog that mentioned your blog ... literally).

Would you mind please posting the navigation path to these definitions within the open group website? I wasn't able to find where these were defined.

And this is what is going to happen when you mix u...

2008-06-04T19:10:00.000+05:30

And this is what is going to happen when you mix up tyhese roles:

Dating a project leader

-Jack

First off, great post. I think that this is topic ...

2008-05-15T05:17:00.000+05:30

First off, great post. I think that this is topic is an area in which people in general struggle with. I am glad you put some effort in defining. I have used similar ways to articulate these roles as well. The view you have provided gives us the relationship between these roles. I think this is important to see. I have used spider diagrams as overlays on the other roles to show how the competencies overlap.

Also, I show these how these roles are not hierarchal by viewing them in terms of breadth and depth. This type of illustration shows us the scope and context of the various architecture roles.

For Example:
http://blogs.msdn.com/blogfiles/mikewalker/WindowsLiveWriter/ADayintheLifeofanEnterpriseArchitect_ECD7/image_4.png

Thanks,
Mike

Arch,

To answer the first part of your ques...

2007-11-25T21:12:00.000+05:30

Arch,

To answer the first part of your question - the Solution Architect, in some cases, plays the role of a project manager too. As a careerpath essential, a qualified Solution Architect is expected to know project management fundamentals.
In a typical scenario, a Solution Architect works with the project manager to make sure the project is progressing in time. So, to answer the second part of your question - The Solution Architect and Project Manager are equally important. If the project size/duration is small, a Solution Architect can don the role of the Project Manager too.

I hope this was useful.

Cheers,
Karthik

Good explanation. I also use a combination "enterp...

2007-11-25T18:46:00.000+05:30

Good explanation. I also use a combination "enterprise solutions architect" for a solution architect in a enterprise-wide project.

A related question - how you would separate responsibilities between "solution architect" and "project manager"? Who is "more" important?

Thanks,
AS
www.improving-BPM-systems.com

Adrian,

Thanks for those lines of explanati...

2007-11-21T16:59:00.000+05:30

Adrian,

Thanks for those lines of explanation! That makes the diagram complete now :) ...(for some reason, it never struck me to explain the diagram)

Cheers,
Karthik

A Solution Architecture includes the same views an...

2007-11-21T16:52:00.000+05:30

A Solution Architecture includes the same views and disciplines as Enterprise Architecture, but with a different and much smaller scope different context and different time period.

Enterprise Architecture is concerned with the enterprise as a whole at a group or corporate level. This is a broad and shallow view and covers all programmes, projects, solutions in the organisation. Enterprise Architecture is primarily modelling the target vision (over the next 3 - 5 years) for the organisation.

Solution Architecture is typically only concerned with a single solution, within a single Business Domain, being developed or aquired by a single project. This is a narrow and deep view. A Solution Architecture addresses the current business needs of the organisation.

Thanks for posting this. I feel architecturally ed...

2007-11-20T23:27:00.000+05:30

Thanks for posting this. I feel architecturally educated now!

-Rob