Introduction to becoming a solution architect
The solution architect leads successful implementations and focuses on how solutions address the broader business and technical needs of organizations. The Solution Architect is a key member of the overall project team.
In larger organizations, the solution architect will likely work with enterprise architects that focus on the bigger picture. Often, the solution architect will rely on the enterprise architect to ensure that the solution that is being designed fits with the broader organization plans.
A solution architect should have functional and technical knowledge of Microsoft Power Platform, Dynamics 365 apps, related Microsoft cloud solutions, and other third-party technologies. A key task of the solution architect is solution envisioning. Essentially, this task involves looking at the problem and identifying which parts can take advantage of one of the Dynamics 365 apps and which parts need to be built by using Microsoft Power Platform or Microsoft Azure. Traditionally, a development-focused architect would start with custom development and low-level Microsoft Azure services. A business application-focused solution architect will instead start with Dynamics 365 and Power Platform and then use Microsoft Azure to address any gaps.
A solution architect applies knowledge and experience throughout an engagement and will also perform proactive and preventative work to increase the value of the customer's investment and promote organizational health. This role requires the ability to identify opportunities to solve business problems. The solution architect is often thought of as a trusted advisor who consults with organizations and implementation team members to refine business needs into a well-defined and cost-effective solution.
Solution architects should be able to facilitate design decisions across development, configuration, integration, infrastructure, security, availability, storage, and change management. This role balances a project's business needs while meeting functional and non-functional requirements. In addition to their technical knowledge, solution architects need to have the ability to engage with business users and decision makers at all levels.
The solution architect provides critical guidance and support from pre-sales through the remainder of the project lifecycle. The exact activities vary from project to project and organization to organization. Other common activities that solution architects perform are discussed in further detail later in this module.
While having solution architects be in-depth experts on all components, it is more common that they are more focused on one or two components and rely on other team members to help fill in where deep knowledge is needed. A good solution architect is skilled at collaborating within their team, organization, and across organizations as needed.
This module will focus on the following topics:
Overview of the Dynamics 365 apps, Microsoft Power Platform, and Microsoft Azure, all with which you should be familiar
Soft skills for a solution architect
Common activities in which a solution architect participates as the project progresses
Pillars of a well-structured business application architecture