| chnical architect you have an important role as | | | | legislation and best practice |
| the project manager overseeing various IT | | | | Be adaptable and able to prioritise |
| assignments that are aimed at improving a | | | | Be able to work under pressure and meet |
| business. It is your responsibility to make sure | | | | deadlines |
| that all strands of the project run smoothly and | | | | Think ahead and anticipate problems, issues and |
| come together as planned at the end when the | | | | solutions |
| project goes live. | | | | Entry |
| The kinds of projects you might oversee could | | | | You will need to work your way up the IT food |
| range from planning the structure of a large-scale | | | | chain to make it as a technical architect. |
| patients records database for the NHS to the | | | | Although the actual job does not need in-depth |
| redesign of a shop's online shopping site. | | | | technical knowledge (the people you manage will |
| You will spend a lot of time liaising with people | | | | often have much greater expertise than you in |
| from all backgrounds - from management to | | | | certain areas), it is important that you understand |
| designers and programmers in the IT department | | | | what technologies are out there (Java/J2EE, SQL, |
| - to make sure the project meets the needs of | | | | SAP, Oracle and C#) and what they do. |
| the organisation and the people who are going to | | | | That is why you will usually need a degree or |
| use the new system. | | | | postgraduate award in subjects like computer |
| Your role will therefore vary from project to | | | | sciences or computer engineering, information |
| project but the core set of tasks you will cover | | | | management systems, software development or |
| include: | | | | business information systems. |
| Identifying the organisation's needs | | | | Employers look favourably on systems |
| Breaking down large scale projects into | | | | development, analysis, programming or testing |
| manageable chunks | | | | experience as a good springboard to success so it |
| Working out which IT products to use based on | | | | is common to start in one of these roles and |
| cost benefit analysis and research | | | | work your way up. |
| Agree plans with the client | | | | Opportunities |
| Explain to designers and developers what is | | | | The IT industry is booming so there are lots of |
| required and overseeing the progress | | | | great opportunities out there. There are IT jobs |
| Producing documents that monitor progress and | | | | all over the country although London and the |
| ensure the quality of the project | | | | South-East have the lion's share. Employers include |
| Advise the client on managing future It needs | | | | not only the specialist IT consultancies but also |
| Skills and interests | | | | public service organisations, Government |
| There is never a dull moment in the life of a | | | | departments, financial institutions and utility |
| technical architect. It is an interesting, varied and | | | | companies. |
| challenging role and you will need to be a jack of | | | | Looking at your future prospects, you would |
| all trades to be successful. You will need to: | | | | most likely be promoted to a more senior |
| Be good with clients/operational managers - | | | | architect's role, or go on to specialise in projects |
| listening and providing answers | | | | for certain industries. A jump even further ahead |
| Have strong problem solving skills | | | | could see you become a top IT consultant or IT |
| Have good communications skills | | | | strategist. |
| Build a good rapport with clients/operational | | | | Annual income |
| managers and colleagues | | | | It is not a job for anyone fresh out of university |
| Be tactful and diplomatic | | | | so the starting salary reflects your experience |
| Be good at gathering and assimilating information | | | | and position on the IT career ladder. You could |
| Have a good knowledge of technical applications | | | | earn between £30,000 and £50,000 per year, |
| and be willing to keep up to date | | | | and between £55,000 and £80,000 when you |
| Have a good knowledge of quality standards, | | | | become a senior architect. |