tech lead（software） 转做 Solution Architect(SA) 经验分享

ybbest

从tech lead（software） 转做 Solution Architect(SA) 快一年了，和大家分享一下这一年的感受吧。 希望可以给想要做SA的朋友一个方向。我自从有了孩子以后就从软件的外包公司转到了企业里了，因为外包公司里的SA很多都要做pre-sale，而我觉得作为英语是第二语言的话，这很困难而且机会很少。一般的企业中都会有一个Architecture team，所以机会还是有的。虽然作为英语是第二语言的人做这个职位有一定难度，不过通过自己的努力还是可以胜任的。

等真正做到SA以后，才觉得这个工作和想象当中的真的有很多差距。我一直觉得，SA就是Tech lead++ ，但是真的不是这样。 除了对于技术要求外，，对于communication ， writing ， presentation 的要求真的很高 还要了解公司的office politics，总之很多技术意外的soft skills要学。我一开始做的时候一定会感觉很有压力，很不适应,不过我经理和我说过，you know you are learning when you feel uncomfortable. 这是一个学习的过程，不要放弃，适应一段时间就会好了。

***************************自己工作的感受**************************

1.做developer的时候你所关注更多的是functional requirement，作为SA你更多的是要分析non-functional requirment。要知道怎么去取得这些requirement，分析这些requirement，这些non-functional requirement怎么影响你的design.

2. 我是做software出身的，觉得做SA以后欠缺很多network和infrastructure的知识，这对你做SA绝对有帮助。比如 security applicances 都用什么用（ F5 or netscalor）， 还有公司内部datacenter 的基本的design。

3. 要知道 Identity management，SSO ，authentication。

4. Cloud觉得是趋势，如果你的工作当中还没有接触到的话，你可能需要换工作了。

5. 在开会的时候不要问你自己都不知道怎么回答的问题，不要问。作为SA，当别人都不知道怎么回答的时候，大家觉得SA应给给大家解答。

6. 有机会可以去一些architecture conference或者CIO conference。如果公司没法让你去的话可以去网上搜搜，看看decision maker搜在想什么。CIO videos https://www.ciosummit.co.nz/cio-summit/2016-videos 里面有不少值得看看的视频。

7.Enterprise Agile 和 Digital transformation 也是趋势，作为SA要学习怎么让自己在agile 环境下工作。现在不只是在说Minimal viable product （MVP), 还有Minimal viable Architecture.

8.Communication skills 不是说你英语是第一语言就一定很好，他们有优势，可是不代表他们的communication skills就一定很好。很多技巧不是天生的，是后天培养的，比如being assertive ， showing empathy， deliver bad news in a good news sandwinch. 可以去youtube是搜搜，很多很好的training.

9. 要有快速学习的能力，developer的时候更多的时候是看看API 或者是SDK 的documentation，或者搜搜blog。做了SA以后，更多的时候要去读很多技术或者产品的white pager， reference architecture , 一开始估计会感觉和枯燥。还要要去懂得怎么去review vendor的design document。

以下是我这一年自己学习的一些东西，希望可以帮到想往这方面发展的朋友。

***************************学习的技能*************************

1. Togaf ， 这个学起来很无聊，但是还是很有用的,虽然这是给Enterprise Architect准备的，不过对SA也有帮助。公司给我花钱去了training，但是网上同样的training很便宜。

https://www.udemy.com/togaf-enterprise-architect/

https://www.udemy.com/togaf-part2/

https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/togaf-9-1-enterprise-architecture-framework-overview

https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/understanding-enterprise-architecture

2. Safaribooksonline 有很多很好的介绍SA工作的教程，很不错，有机会的可以去看看，有机会了解一些SA日常都做什么，都学要什么样的技能。

https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/learning-path-issues/9781491960967/part00.html?autoStart=True

https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/learning-path-software/9781491957974/video229291.html?autoStart=True

https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/learning-path-resource-oriented/9781491960981/

https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/learning-path-architect/9781491958124

3.工作中需要和很多人打交道，为了避免冲突，一定要学习怎么说话，Being Assertive is a must , 如果你不了解的话，可以看看以下视频。

Assertiveness Basics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufvn-Z4F2MI&list=PLhL_X9YHDDE4_Rdl5UwndQZD3QwIc08jz

Learning to Be Assertive

https://www.lynda.com/Business-Business-Skills-tutorials/Learning-Assertive/175640-2.html

Effective Listening

https://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/Effective-Listening/176760-2.html

Professional Communication Skills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J58_e_IYV4k&list=PLq-0mUo3GUDrx5hIxWwjVStLzKEsZokEn

4. Soft Skills Every Software Developer Should Know

https://channel9.msdn.com/events/Xamarin-Evolve/2016/5-Soft-Skills-Every-Software-Developer-Should-Know

5. Storry telling , if you as SA can not tell a good story then your decision maker will ask an expensive consultant tell them. Learn how to tell a good story.

https://channel9.msdn.com/events/Ignite/Microsoft-Ignite-New-Zealand-2015/M112

https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/TechEd/NewZealand/2013/ARC214

SA Blog

http://softwarearchitecturezen.blogspot.co.nz

http://ruthmalan.com/

怎样才能做到SA的职位呢？

1. 要有过硬的技术背景，而且要不断的学习，我是developer 背景，做了SA以后要学习很多infrastructure , network , security 的知识。最好把自己搞成V-shaped skills not T-Shaped 的人才。可以看看这个blog post .

2.在你坐在的公司内找一个SA 做你的mentor，多和他们打交道，问问他么都在做什么，公司的发展方向是什么.自己制定一个学习计划。

3. 看看公司内部的Architecute design document ,看看公司用什么tools 做modelling。好好学习这种工具，还有就是要学习Visio,Powerpoint。一般visio 和 PPT 还是比较被business stakeholder 接受。

一些我以前经理说的东西，我觉得还是有用的：
1.我一个经理和我说过你要想不学习的那么辛苦，就要寻找在IT里更新不那么快的技能和职位，这样才能给你时间学习这种技能去变成专家，这种技能也更值钱。


2.当你在做一个新的职位或在现有的职位的时候感觉不适应或者很累的时候，说明你在学东西在爬坡，而爬坡的最佳角度是45度。也就是在工作中可以接触50%新的东西，是最好的搭配。

3. SA is a problem solver , the approach to solve the problem is very important.

How to negotiate salary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY5SeCl_8NE&list=PLPZCUlZ2z01moBi3zjrNzbuIeyu3zW0Kf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icuSn3k9Euk

巴依老爷

必须精华

ybbest

巴依老爷 发表于 2016-8-17 17:21
必须精华

谢谢了。。。。

technerd

厉害，恭喜ybbest升职！

NewLynnHse

我感觉很多SA的想法太过完美主义，一开始就要把东西做到完美，全部的scenario都要cater，最后变成over engineering。。。哈哈

所以我估计这辈子都不能当SA，因为我太随便了

technerd

NewLynnHse 发表于 2016-8-17 22:49
我感觉很多SA的想法太过完美主义，一开始就要把东西做到完美，全部的scenario都要cater，最后变成over engi ...

那over engineering导致项目无法按时交付的时候， SA有没有负责？还是你来背这个锅？

keepower

一个好的BA能帮你解决很多问题

liuruihua

What is the solution architect's salary range compare to senior software developer? Is it easy to get job as solution architect?

ybbest

liuruihua 发表于 2016-8-18 09:36
What is the solution architect's salary range compare to senior software developer? Is it easy to ge ...

As Junior SA , your salary would be very similar to what you get as Tech lead. But I believe SA will help me grow your career further.

ybbest

NewLynnHse 发表于 2016-8-17 22:49
我感觉很多SA的想法太过完美主义，一开始就要把东西做到完美，全部的scenario都要cater，最后变成over engi ...

其实有同感了，不过SA并不是decision maker 。只是很多时候你可能只接触SA ， SA 要接触公司内部很多妖魔鬼怪，最后出的决定也是各个部门妥协后的结果。如果SA的coummunication能力不是很高的话，再传达这些决定给developer，IT Pro的时候可能就会出现你感觉的情况。 这样的SA可能就像我一样，就仅仅是SA，还不是是一个leader，说话的技巧和能力都有限。

ybbest

keepower 发表于 2016-8-18 08:38
一个好的BA能帮你解决很多问题

是啊，可以帮的很多很多。

shixiawg

多谢加上个人体会的部分。这回读起来不dry啦~

liuruihua

I think if I want to be my own boss, then I have to do sales myself. Otherwise I would rather just write software instead of do presales.

markfu

哇 哇 不错哦！！加油！！ 哈哈 居然做到了 SA    我的 未来职业规划 能到这个地步 也行啦

technerd

liuruihua 发表于 2016-8-18 09:36
What is the solution architect's salary range compare to senior software developer? Is it easy to ge ...

SAP solution architect薪水就很高，当然SAP其他职位薪水都比较高。

Solution Architect和  senior software developer 在有的公司都是有可能要lead 一个team，mentor其他engineer的，所以薪水和team leader以及development manager有可能相近。

senior software developer其实跨度很大，光是title说明不了问题。你做了这么多年，可能也还是叫senior software developer，但薪水可能就比新手高很多。

liuruihua

technerd 发表于 2016-8-18 19:29
SAP solution architect薪水就很高，当然SAP其他职位薪水都比较高。

Solution Architect和  senior soft ...

Thanks for your answer.

I know anything related to sap is dear. The customer who was developing a website using sap system spent around aud700k in two years and decided to give up and use the website I wrote in asp.net mvc. :-)

I never work with a solution architect in my 22 years career and I am thinking what kind of company will use a solution architect?

MSSA

liuruihua 发表于 2016-8-18 21:08
Thanks for your answer.

I know anything related to sap is dear. The customer who was developing a ...

需要architect的地方多了去了，大的corporate和大的software house基本都需要。一般来说corporate的需求量大一些。

5，6个人的小start-up或者10几个人的小作坊当然没必要这个级别的职位。

ctai010

Well said. Congratulation on the new job. Personally I felt Chinese is very under-represented in NZ, well done to LZ. I think Chines IT professional (exclude local born) is generally committed, hard working, typically not trouble maker and in most cases, they know what they are doing :)

I've spend a few years in SA and moved to EA since this year, and just want share my 2 cents.

Successful Architect depend on 3 skills,
1. Knowledge
2. Imagination
3. Convection

If you work on consulting / outsource / vendor side, skill 1 and 2 is more important.
If you work on client / enterprise side, skill 3 is more important.

Knowledge and Imagination is self-explanatory and I won't elaborate further. I just want talk about convection -  it's the most important skill out of all three. It's also the hardest to master.

What do I mean by convection? It means make your team believe "we can do it". This is particularly relevant at highly complex project, i.e. 20+ integration points with evolving dependent systems (literately like shooting a moving target), plus reducing budget and increasing scope because CEO need meet the financial year target in order to get his bonus.

It's not about 忽悠, your peers generally able to see through your BS in less than 1 second. It's about a combination of thing that LZ summerised very well. Best of luck to LZ and everyone else. Sincerely hope to see more of us do well in this industry and please don't hesitate to ask any questions.  

Lastly, TOGAF is like 國王的新衣, that's all I have to say about it.

117wik

ctai010 发表于 2016-8-18 23:07
Well said. Congratulation on the new job. Personally I felt Chinese is very under-represented in NZ, ...

I think more of us should be more public about what we do, to give some hope to some younger generation that it is technically possible, for 1st generation chinese, to get somewhere locally. (seems to have a lot of negative perception, re it's impposible for chinese like us to compete and break through the ceilling - although i have to admit, we end up having to work twice as hard compare to local people, to get to where we are today).

Today i am a "tech lead（security） 转做 Team Manager", managing a team of 22. Likely my team is going to grow to a team of 30 in the next 12 months. My greatest contribution so far is to be able to lead and shape the future of some of company's product, which will hopefully help company achieve their business goal.

Out of the 3 skills you listed, i also want to add, knowing how to play the same office politic game helps, having the connection to the industry is a big plus too.

Well done ctai010 (if you don't mind me asking, who do you work for today?)

liuruihua

MSSA 发表于 2016-8-18 21:53
需要architect的地方多了去了，大的corporate和大的software house基本都需要。一般来说corporate的需求 ...

I used to work in a software house has around 50 developers worldwide and the company does not have that, only lots of senior developers with manager title.

ybbest

liuruihua 发表于 2016-8-19 08:51
I used to work in a software house has around 50 developers worldwide and the company does not hav ...

SA is quite a different role than a Senior Developer or Manager role. Developer focus more on delivery phase or design pattern used in writing code.
SA need to engage with the work much early on even before the work become a project. It will help business to build a High-level design to get approval from company's Design review board to make sure the solution is in compliance with company design principle and long-term strategy .  E.g. The cloud SAAS solution must integrate with company's ADFS server to provide SSO. OR the System A is going to be replaced by system B in 3 years , so no customization or enhancement can be deployed to system A unless it is for bug fixes.  

SA will  get some high-level cost to help with business to build the business case ( GET the funding). Once the business is approved to become a project , SA is responsible for  overseeing the whole delivery of the project . SA will then get the detail design completed. The detailed design might not involve how to write code but where the code deploy to. Firewall rule ,detailed network design , how many new servers we need to purchase. How to provide HA ,DR,Security or PCI compliance... Sometimes we do work with vendor or technology Architect (SAP architect , or Salesforce architect) to help us understand a specific technology.But as SA on the project , we own the project from end to end, i.e. from the server turned on until the server turn off.

ybbest

ctai010 发表于 2016-8-18 23:07
Well said. Congratulation on the new job. Personally I felt Chinese is very under-represented in NZ, ...

Congrats on your new EA role , maybe you should share your journey with us about how to step up from SA to EA , EA is definitely my next career aspiration for the next 5 years.

I am studying for the TOGAF exam now , it is still useful for new Architect but it might not be a practical tool to be used in New Zealand. But again , I can not comment too much on this as I have not work in EA level , but it is the only certification  that mentioned in  most of Architect job ad in NZ.

liuruihua

ybbest 发表于 2016-8-19 09:37
SA is quite a different role than a Senior Developer or Manager role. Developer focus more on deliv ...

Thanks for the answer.

I think that I am a Solution Architect for my own projects from what you said. I own the projects from end to end, i.e. from the server turned on until the server turn off. :-) The project serves web requests 200k rps using golang version 1.7 mysql, redis on latest centos on two e5620 16 virtual cpu with 40gb ram on a 512gb samsung evo 500gb drive using dell 2700w ups for chinese stock share price analysis. :-) I worked in stock share business since 1995.

technerd

liuruihua 发表于 2016-8-18 21:08
Thanks for your answer.

I know anything related to sap is dear. The customer who was developing a ...

没有Solution Architect正常。
偏重  企业应用和系统集成的，可能更需要Solution Architect. 在众多第三方的软件产品和IT设备的基础上做functional level的设计，满足某一企业的业务应用。
主要做 产品研发的，可能没有Solution Architect. 或者只是等到组织很庞大才找专人做这个事。

没有Solution Architect这个title没关系，同样的事情可能由Implementation Consultant， 或者Software Architect,或者Senior Developer 做了。

如果公司雇了你这样的老油条，基本不是特别需要再雇一个Solutioni Architect，全部由你来做就行。最多配个Implementation Consultant做pre-sales,和一个Service Desk做售后。

liuruihua

technerd 发表于 2016-8-19 11:58
没有Solution Architect正常。
偏重  企业应用和系统集成的，可能更需要Solution Architect. 在众多第三 ...

Yes, you are right.

I used to work in a team around 3 people as qa, 6 developers and one business analyst and one manager for a web project and now my boss and the general manager as sales and I am the developer do the rest including qa, support etc and the customer size is around 10 times bigger than the team with lots of people to do desktop/mobile website, integration, android/ios app.

ybbest

technerd 发表于 2016-8-19 11:58
没有Solution Architect正常。
偏重  企业应用和系统集成的，可能更需要Solution Architect. 在众多第三 ...

小一点公司没有，如果想往这方面发张就要找有这样一个 architecture team的公司，一般大一点的公司都会有。

ctai010

117wik 发表于 2016-8-19 07:46
I think more of us should be more public about what we do, to give some hope to some younger genera ...

I work for Sky TV now. (the most hated company in NZ....)

Before that I got most of my SA experience from Telco across NZ / AUS, Spark, Vodafone, Telstra etc...
I was lucky to be involved in very large transformation programs while I was with them, such as Re-engineering at Spark, Digital Engineering at Tesltra. I guess those experience helped my career a lot.

ctai010

ybbest 发表于 2016-8-19 09:43
Congrats on your new EA role , maybe you should share your journey with us about how to step up fr ...

thank you.
Although there really isn't anything for share.

I didn't really set any goals to became EA. My mind is all about been a better architect, that's it. In one occasion I got lucky and got offered a EA role.

Perhaps I should share why I didn't actively pursue the path of EA.
1. Difference between EA and SA isn't that clear. Some big corporate don't even have EA role.
2. You mentioned a key concept - Enterprise Agile. Does it means EA role will become obsolete in future? That's the million dollar question.
3. At any given time, if you go to Seek, SA job opening will out-number EA at 10-1 or more. Isn't SA have better job security? Although you can still apply SA job even if your last job is EA.
4. Do you really get paid more as EA? not necessarily. You get paid more by taking contracting role. Even dev contacting role can pay more than perm EA role.  

ctai010

On the subject of improve communication skill, I'm the biggest fan of 罗辑思维.

Their episode 3 weeks ago is about communication, I thoroughly recommend it to anyone wanting to improve communication skill. Must watch (actually every single episode of 罗辑思维 is must watch...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyrcM2ypytQ