Explore the complex world of digital solutions architecture and its pivotal role in the modern, technology-driven organization. The book provides a detailed roadmap, charting the intricate processes that solutions architects undertake to transform high-level business propositions into practical, actionable digital solutions.
Offering a number of real-world examples, you'll work through examples of various digital projects encompassing cutting-edge technologies such as AI/ML, IoT, Cloud, and the integration with legacy systems. The book also explains how various elements coalesce to form a resilient solutions architecture, shedding light on the need for collaborative synergy between different organizational stakeholders, teams and disciplines.
Solutions Architecture underscores the significance of aligning business and technology, demonstrating how this strategic collaboration maximizes the success of digital projects, setting you on the path to a more robust and successful digital future for your organization.
What You Will Learn
Understand the solutions architecture process, including key concepts and best practices
Identify business needs and requirements and translate them into actionable steps that result in effective digital solutions
Select appropriate technologies, build prototypes, and conduct testing and validation
Design, implement, and maintain solutions
Who This Book Is For
Digital Transformation Program Management, Program Managers, Solutions Architects, IT/Digital Project Managers
Author(s): Wasim Rajput
Publisher: Apress
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 252
ocument Outline
Table of Contents
About the Author
About the Technical Reviewer
Introduction
Chapter 1: Understanding Digital Solutions
Digitalization and Digital Transformation
The New Digital Trends and Technologies
Examples: Successful Digital Projects and Solutions
Complexity of Digital Solutions
Complexity Factors
Impact to Business Processes
Technical Complexities
Evolving New Digital Technologies
Integration Complexities of Digital Solutions
Multiple Vendors
Complexity Framework
LOW COMPLEXITY PROJECTS
MEDIUM COMPLEXITY PROJECTS
HIGH COMPLEXITY PROJECTS
The Need for Solutions Architecture
Summary
References
Chapter 2: The Digital Solutions Architecture Process and Activities
What Is Solutions Architecture?
Solutions Architecture Activities vs. the Project Lifecycle
Typical Project Lifecycle Activities
Are “Design” and “Architecture” the Same?
Example: Architecture vs. Design
Architecture
Design
Typical Solutions Architecture Activities
The Solutions Architect’s Responsibilities in Low-Level Design
Development and Testing Phases
Operational Role of a Solutions Architect
Key Solutions Architecture Deliverables
Solutions Architecture vs. Enterprise Architecture
The Enterprise Architecture Process
The Difference Between Enterprise Architecture and Solutions Architecture
Example: Difference Between Enterprise Architecture and Solutions Architecture
Business Architecture
Information Architecture
Technical Architecture
Application Architecture
The Solutions Architect and the Other Architects in Organizations
Tailoring the Solutions Architecture Process
Example
Summary
References
Chapter 3: Fostering Digital and Business Alignment
Example: Misalignment of Technology and Business
The Solutions Architect’s Role in Business Alignment
Using Business Strategy to Drive Solutions Architecture
The Intersection of Business Strategy and Solutions Architecture: Essential Dimensions and Components
Aligning Solutions Architecture with Business Architecture
Products and Services
Business Processes
Data and Information Related to Business Processes
Business Rules
An Organization’s Stakeholders
Business Performance Metrics
Business Capabilities
The Importance of Business Use Cases in Solutions Architecture
Business Use Cases vs. Business Processes
Business Use Cases vs. Business Requirements
Business Use Case Examples
Business Use Cases for New Technologies
Gathering Solution Requirements
Gathering Functional Requirements
Example: Functional Requirements of an AR Use Case
The Process of Gathering Functional Requirements
Requirements Gathering for Systems Involving New Digital Technologies
Traditional Challenges with the Functional Requirements Process
Gathering Non-Functional Requirements
Gathering of Non-Functional Requirements
Example: Non-Functional Requirements of an AR Application
Best Practices for Achieving Business and Technology Alignment
Acting As a Technical Mentor and Advisor to the Business
Establishing Higher-Level Strategic-Level Agreements
Engaging Closely with the Business Outcome Owners
Improving Communication and Collaboration Between Technical and Business Teams
Working Closely with the Product Owner
Project Deliverables (Business Alignment)
Summary
References
Chapter 4: Creating the Target Digital Technology Architecture
Example: Technical Architecture
Conduct a Current State Infrastructure and Technology Assessment
The Value of Performing Current Technology Assessment
Assessing Integration of the New Solution with the Current Environment
Identifying Similar Implementations in the Organization
Assessing the Security and Regulatory Compliance Status of the Current Environment
Engaging with the Relevant Stakeholders
Planning Integration with the Operational Environment
Gaining Familiarity with the Organization’s Technical Standards
Defining the Scope of the Technology Assessment
Example: Technology Assessment for an IoT-Based System
Selection of Technology Stacks
Examples of Technology Stacks
Considerations When Selecting a Specific Technology Stack
Conducting POCs and Technical Evaluation of Tools and Services
Solutions Alignment with Enterprise Architecture
Technology Architecture
Data Architecture
Data Architecture vs. Information Architecture
Application Architecture
Summary
Developing the Solution’s Target Technology Architecture
Technology and Infrastructure Architecture
Creating the Application Architecture
Creating A Data Architecture
Example: Data Architecture Consideration When Working on AI/ML Systems
Creating the Security Architecture
Common Security Threats
Security Controls
Target Technology Architecture Risk Assessment
Examples: Technology Risk Assessment
Project Deliverables (Technology Architecture)
Summary
References
Chapter 5: Deciding on Digital Architectural Frameworks and Best Practices
Why Choose an Architectural Framework?
Industry Digital Architectural Frameworks
Amazon Web Services Well-Architected Framework
The Azure Well-Architected Framework
Google Cloud Architecture
Cloud Native Computing Foundation Cloud Native Landscape
CISA Internet of Things Acquisition Guidance
OpenStack Architecture
Kubernetes Architecture
Tanzu
Example: AWS Well-Architected Framework
About the AWS Well-Architected Framework
The Six Pillars of the AWS Well-Architected Framework
Design Principles
Best Practices
AWS Well-Architected Lenses
Deciding on a Custom Architectural Framework
Example: Selecting the Right Kubernetes Service
Self-Managed Kubernetes
Managed Kubernetes Services
Kubernetes as a Service
Hybrid Approach
Technical Debt Considerations in Solutions Architecture
Technical Debt and Its Relevance to Solutions Architecture
The Role of the Solutions Architect in Influencing Technical Debt
Example: Technical Debt-Related Decisions
Summary
References
Chapter 6: Concluding Remarks for CIOs and Solutions Architects
A Message to CIOs and CTOs
Ensuring Alignment Through the Domain of Solutions Architecture
The Role of Solutions Architects
Becoming a Solutions Architect
Definition of a Solutions Architect
Key Skills Needed to Become a Solutions Architect
Technical Expertise
Business Alignment Skills
Ability to Envision the Technical Solution
Digital/IT Management Skills
Enterprise Architecture Skills
Building Professional Networks
Solutions Architecture Certifications
Gaining Real-World Experience
The Importance of Soft Skills
Summary
Index
