Making an analogy with the construction world, there’s always a structural engineer in the design phase who is responsible for calculating and defining the necessary foundations for the work before building a structure.
This practice is not only logical but fundamental: you cannot build a house or a building without considering its architecture or the solidity of its structure. Each construction need requires specific architectural solutions.
And here begins my reflection: Why is this approach not so widespread in the software development world? And when it does occur, why isn’t architectural planning always analyzed with the depth it deserves?
In our sector, the equivalent figure to the structural engineer is the Software Architect, a role that, in many contexts, seems to almost belong to legend.
The Architect Figure in the Real World
Based on my experience of about eight years in the sector, I’ve noticed that this figure is often absent. In most projects I’ve participated in, the architect role was assumed, when necessary, by the most senior members of the development team. However, there is a substantial difference: the Software Architect is not simply an experienced developer, but a person with extensive and deep know-how about software architectures.
The Role of the Software Architect: Skills and Responsibilities
The Software Architect is the professional responsible for designing the architecture of a software system, ensuring it is robust, scalable, and suitable for current and future project needs. It’s a strategic figure that combines advanced technical skills with a global vision of business processes and client needs.
They must possess vast technical knowledge, including:
- Knowledge of software architectures: Microservices, monolithic, serverless, event-driven, SOA, etc.
- Design and modeling: Ability to define architecture diagrams, such as UML or C4, to describe system structure
- Technologies and languages: Practical experience with programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, JavaScript, etc.) and frameworks to evaluate and choose the most suitable for the project
- Databases and storage: Deep knowledge of relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and non-relational (e.g., MongoDB, DynamoDB), as well as distributed storage solutions
- Cloud computing: Experience with cloud services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and containers (Docker, Kubernetes), fundamental in modern projects
- Architectural patterns: Familiarity with design patterns like CQRS, Event Sourcing, Repository Pattern, Singleton, etc.
- Scalability and performance: Ability to design systems that support high loads, using techniques like load balancing and distributed caching
Main Responsibilities and Soft Skills
The Software Architect has a crucial role in each project phase:
- Architecture definition: Analyze project requirements and design software structure by choosing the most suitable architecture
- Technology selection: Evaluate frameworks and tools to ensure scalability and maintainability
- Business alignment: Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure architecture meets business objectives
- Development team support: Provide guidelines, solve complex problems, and promote good practices
- Commitment management: Balance quality, development speed, and technological risks
- Architecture evolution: Monitor and update architecture to adapt to changing needs
- Effective communication: Explain complex concepts to both technical and non-technical people
- Leadership: Guide the team in technical decisions and motivate toward common goals
- Problem-solving: Face complex challenges quickly and strategically
Design: A Crucial Moment
The design phase, which includes technology choices and architecture, is a key moment in software development. Decisions made in this phase can greatly facilitate not only the development but also the operation, evolution, and maintenance of the product.
Despite the strategic importance of this figure, I wonder: why is the Software Architect so rare in teams, even in large consulting firms?
A Cost or an Investment?
In light of all these reflections, could their absence in development teams be due to a budget issue?
So, is the Software Architect a cost or an investment?
Because it’s indispensable
We could say it’s not a cost, but an investment:
- Prevents structural errors: A solid design reduces the likelihood of long-term technical problems
- Accelerates development: Provides a clear and well-defined basis, reducing team coordination effort
- Ensures scalability: Allows creating software that grows with business needs without having to redesign from scratch
- Reduces costs: Well-thought-out architectural decisions avoid additional maintenance and redesign expenses
However, I understand that for a company, having a Software Architect on each project can represent a significant cost. A possible solution could be to introduce a limited number of dedicated architects, distributed among business units, so they can supervise and support multiple projects simultaneously. This approach would not only reduce costs but would ensure a higher level of quality and coherence in design solutions.
Is the Software Developer a Software Architect Within?
In many companies, especially medium and small ones, having a dedicated architect for each project is unsustainable. The solution could be to train Software Developers to acquire sufficiently deep knowledge in architecture, without necessarily transforming them into architects. This approach would allow developers to make more informed design decisions, mitigating the absence of a dedicated figure.
What would change compared to delegating design to team seniors?
Being a senior developer doesn’t always mean knowing architectural solutions or various technologies, so a true focus in this area is needed.
Conclusion: The Software Architect Today and Tomorrow
In conclusion, it seems this figure really is mythological. But perhaps the real question is: do teams really need a dedicated Software Architect? If this is the situation today, what will happen tomorrow, with artificial intelligence on the horizon? What will be the future of our dear friend?
What do you think about it?
