Solution architect
Find out what a solution architect in government does and the skills you need to do the role at each level.
Last updated 30 November 2024 — See all updates
Contents
- — What a solution architect does
- — Solution architect role levels
- — 1. Associate solution architect
- — 2. Solution architect
- — 3. Senior solution architect
- — 4. Lead solution architect
- — 5. Principal solution architect
- — Roles that share solution architect skills
What a solution architect does
A solution architect designs solutions for problems that affect the organisation.
In this role, you will:
- ensure a problem and the desired outcomes are properly defined
- ensure the scope of a solution meets the organisation's requirements
- stay up to date on technology trends and approaches
- understand organisational objectives and external drivers, for example, legislation or financial constraints
- work with others to develop business and technical strategies
- work within business and technical constraints
- design and document solutions so they can be implemented by the organisation
- comply with standards and governance
- communicate and work effectively with stakeholders
- manage risks and decisions in a transparent way
Solution architect role levels
There are 5 solution architect role levels, from associate solution architect to principal solution architect.
The typical responsibilities and skills for each role level are described in the sections below. You can use this to identify the skills you need to progress in your career, or simply to learn more about each role in the Government Digital and Data profession.
1. Associate solution architect
An associate solution architect supports other solution architects to design solutions. You will usually work under supervision.
At this role level, you will:
- support the design of solutions by working with stakeholders
- help your team achieve its objectives
Skill | Description |
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Architect for the whole context Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Making architectural decisions Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Problem definition and shaping Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Technical design throughout the life cycle Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
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2. Solution architect
A solution architect is responsible for a single solution. They usually work independently on solutions where risk is low. They also often support or contribute to work led by more senior solution architects.
At this role level, you will:
- build relationships with stakeholders across different business or technical areas in the organisation
- be proactive in identifying opportunities to improve the organisation
- follow best practice for solution design
- use emerging technologies and approaches
- help your team achieve its objective
Skill | Description |
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Architect for the whole context Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Making architectural decisions Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Problem definition and shaping Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Technical design throughout the life cycle Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
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3. Senior solution architect
A senior solution architect is responsible for a single, more complex, solution. They usually work on solutions where the risk is moderate. They may lead and coach other solution architects.
At this role level, you will:
- build relationships with senior stakeholders across different business or technical areas in the organisation
- be proactive in identifying opportunities to improve the organisation
- support multiple architecture projects
- find and use emerging technologies and approaches
- support others to follow best practice for solution architecture
Skill | Description |
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Architect for the whole context Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Making architectural decisions Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Problem definition and shaping Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Technical design throughout the life cycle Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
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4. Lead solution architect
A lead solution architect is responsible for a group of solution architecture projects, or a single more complex area. They may lead teams of more junior solution architects.
At this role level, you will:
- build relationships with senior stakeholders across multiple business or technical areas in the organisation
- be proactive in identifying opportunities to improve the organisation
- support multiple architecture projects or programmes
- find and use emerging technologies and approaches
- develop best practice for solution architecture
Skill | Description |
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Architect for the whole context Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Making architectural decisions Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Problem definition and shaping Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Technical design throughout the life cycle Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
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5. Principal solution architect
A principal solution architect can be responsible for a large programme or group of solution architecture projects, or a single, very complex or critical business area.
At this role level, you will:
- lead teams of more junior solution architects
- lead multiple architecture projects or programmes
- build relationships with senior stakeholders across multiple business or technical areas in the organisation and its partners
- be proactive in identifying opportunities to improve the organisation and its partners
- work with technology partners to inform their roadmaps
- take a leading role in the overall direction of business and digital capabilities
- inspire other architects and help them understand how to meet organisational goals
Skill | Description |
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Architect for the whole context Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Making architectural decisions Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Problem definition and shaping Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Technical design throughout the life cycle Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
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Roles that share solution architect skills
Updates
Published 28 February 2024
Last updated 30 November 2024
30 November 2024
- In the 'expert' level description of the 'community collaboration' skill, the second requirement referring to 'understand the pychology of the team and have strong mediation skills' was removed as it is duplicated meaning of other requirements and does not meet framework guidelines for technical skills. This ensures consistency with the rest of the framework and allows for the skill to be shared with roles previously using the 'community collaboration (frontend developer)' skill.
31 May 2024
- Solution architect now includes the skills 'community collaboration', 'making architectural decisions', 'problem definition and shaping', 'strategy design', and 'technical design throughout the life cycle'.
- The skills 'governance and assurance', 'life cycle perspective', 'making and guiding decisions', 'requirements definition and management', 'strategy' and 'technical breadth' have been removed from the role.
28 February 2024
- First published