A freelance system architect can do this

By Carsten Bjerregaard, founder of Marketingcapacity.dk (Please link to this article. Copying/publishing without agreement is not permitted)

A system architect works to design and organize the overall structure and architecture of an IT system or software application. The system architect plays a crucial role in ensuring that the system and software meet the company's needs and technical requirements in an efficient, reliable and scalable way. The system architect can, among other things, work with requirements analysis, system design, choice of architecture, system integration, security, performance, documentation, management, problem solving, etc.

Read more below:• What is a system architect? • What does a system architect do? • What is a system architect also called? • How does a system architect create value? • What types of system architects are there? • What should a system architect be able to do? • Examples of good text work • Why choose a FREELANCE system architect? • How do you find a good freelancer?

What is a systems architect?

A system architect is a professional responsible for designing and planning the overall structure and functionality of a system. It may include software applications, hardware infrastructure, or a combination of these. The system architect analyzes requirements for the system, identifies the necessary components and defines their interactions and interfaces. The aim is to ensure that the system is efficient, reliable and meets the user's needs. System architects often work closely with developers, engineers and other stakeholders to ensure a successful implementation of the system.

What does a systems architect do?

The system architect's tasks typically include:

• Requirements analysis: To understand and analyze the company's needs and requirements for the system. It involves communicating with stakeholders, users and technical teams to define clear and comprehensive requirements.
• System design: Creating an overall plan for the system, including how different components and modules will interact, what technologies will be used, and how data flows will be handled.
• Architecture choice: Deciding which software architecture patterns and technologies best suit the system's requirements. This can include decisions about database solutions, communication protocols, user interfaces, and more.
• System Integration: Ensuring that different system components can work together seamlessly. This may involve integration of third-party software, APIs or other systems.
• Security and Performance: Designing the system with security and performance in mind. It includes identifying and fixing potential vulnerabilities as well as optimizing the system to achieve the desired performance under different loads.
• Documentation: Creating and maintaining clear documents, diagrams, and descriptions of the system architecture and design so that other team members can understand and collaborate on the project.
• Problem Solving: Dealing with complex technical challenges and issues that may arise during development and finding solutions that stay within the architectural guidelines.
• Technical leadership: In some cases, a system architect may also act as a technical lead, helping the development team understand the architecture and implement it correctly.

Generally speaking, a system architect is responsible for creating a clear and structured vision for how an IT system should be built so that it can meet the company's needs in a way that is scalable, maintainable and efficient.

What is a system architect also called?

A system architect is also called a software architect, technical architect or perhaps a system designer. These terms are often used synonymously and refer to the same role and responsibility within system architecture.

How does a system architect create value?

A system architect creates value in several ways:

• Designing efficient and reliable systems: A system architect is responsible for designing systems that meet user needs efficiently and reliably. By creating a solid and coherent structure for the system, the architect can ensure that it functions optimally and that it delivers the desired functionality.
• Optimal resource utilization: A system architect works to optimize resource utilization in a system. This may include identifying and implementing efficient algorithms, minimizing external data transfer or reducing the load on the hardware infrastructure. By optimizing resource utilization, the architect can help reduce costs and improve performance.
• Ensuring scalability and flexibility: By designing the system to handle increasing load and adapt to changing requirements, the architect can ensure that the system can grow and adapt to future needs without major restructuring or need.
• Coordination and collaboration: The system architect works together with developers, engineers and other interested parties to ensure a successful implementation of the system. By coordinating and collaborating with different team members, the architect can ensure that everyone is working towards common goals and that the system is implemented correctly.

What types of system architects are there?

There are different types of system architects who specialize in different areas of system design and implementation. Some of the common types include:

• Software Architect: Focuses primarily on the design and structure of software applications and systems.
• Hardware architect: Specializes in the design and planning of hardware infrastructure and components of a system.
• Cloud Architect: Has expertise in designing and implementing systems that leverage cloud computing technologies and platforms.
• Network Architect: Focuses on the design and implementation of network infrastructure and ensures effective communication between system components.
• Security Architect: Specializes in designing and implementing security measures and protection of systems against threats and attacks.

These are just examples, and there may be other specialized types of system architects depending on specific needs and industries.

What should a system architect be able to do?

A system architect must have a wide range of skills. Some of the main ones include:

• Technical expertise: A system architect must have in-depth technical knowledge in relevant areas such as software development, hardware infrastructure, network technologies, etc.
• System Design and Modeling: The ability to design and model complex systems using appropriate methods and tools such as UML (Unified Modeling Language) or other modeling standards.
• Problem Solving Skills: A systems architect must be able to analyze complex problems, identify possible solutions, and make informed decisions based on system requirements and constraints.
• Communication Skills: The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with various stakeholders, including developers, engineers, project managers and customers.
• Project management: A systems architect may be responsible for leading and coordinating system implementation projects, so the ability to handle project management and scheduling is important.
• Business understanding: A systems architect must have a good understanding of business needs and requirements in order to design systems that meet these needs.

Competences can also vary depending on specific job descriptions and industry requirements.

What tools does a system architect use?

A system architect uses a number of tools to support the work with design and planning of systems. Some of the common tools used by system architects include:

• Modeling tools: These tools are used to create visual models and diagrams, such as system architecture diagrams, flow diagrams, and sequence diagrams. Examples of modeling tools include Enterprise Architect, Lucichart and Visio.
• Coding and scripting tools: System architects can use coding and scripting tools to develop prototypes, demonstrate concepts, or automate certain tasks. Examples include IDEs such as Eclipse, Visual Studio, and text editors such as Sublime Text and Atom.
• Collaboration tools: These help system architects collaborate and communicate with other stakeholders in the project. This can include document sharing, project management and communication tools such as Confluence, Jira and Slack.
• Simulation and Analysis Tools: Which system architects can use to simulate and analyze system performance, reliability or security. Examples include MATLAB, Simulink, and various systems analysis and modeling software.

These are just some examples of tools used by system architects. The specific choices depend on the project's requirements, preferences and the company's specific needs.

Examples of good system architect work

Good systems architect work involves several important aspects. Here are some of them:

• Requirements analysis: A good system architect starts with a thorough analysis of the requirements for the system. It involves understanding user needs, business goals and technical requirements in order to design an appropriate architecture.
• Effective system design: A system architect must be able to design an efficient and coherent structure for the system. This involves identifying the necessary components, defining their interactions and interfaces, and ensuring that the system meets the desired functional and non-functional requirements.
• Scalability and flexibility: A good system takes into account future needs and ensures that the architecture is scalable and flexible. This makes it possible to adapt to changes and extensions without having to redesign the entire system.
• Security and Reliability: A system architect must consider security and reliability aspects in the system design. This involves identifying and implementing appropriate security measures as well as ensuring that the system can handle failures and ensure continuous operation.
• Collaboration and communication: A good system architect works closely with developers, engineers and other interested parties to ensure a successful implementation of the system. This requires effective communication, collaboration and the ability to convey complex technical concepts in an understandable manner.

Why hire/employ? a freelance systems architect?

In the past, most people probably thought of freelancers for one-off projects. But many companies have now realized the benefits of working with freelancers in long-term processes:

• Needs that do not justify permanent employment can be met
• In periods when you do not have the need, you do not pay for the competence
• In a long-term collaboration, the freelancer gets to know the company almost as well as a permanent employee
• If you compare it to buying the desired competence from an agency – e.g. an advertising agency - it is usually much cheaper to work with freelancers
• You are in a flexible position when you want to rethink the overall competence profile with which you are responsible for an area
• More and more really talented people prefer to work freelance
• A freelancer can still look at your company 'from the outside' - which is a valuable thing when, for example, thinking about creatives
• Freelancers may be able to provide your company with fresh inspiration from the outside How do you find a good freelance system architect?

Finding the right freelancer can be difficult. And above all, it can take a long time. Because there are many freelancers in the same field, and even if they display the same skills, there can be a big difference when it comes to the way they work and the work they deliver. When you ask Marketingcapacity.dk for help in finding a freelancer for a collaboration, the process is:1. You describe your need to us (either in writing or orally - after which we confirm in an email) 2. We screen the thousands of profiles on Marketingcapacity.dk and, if necessary, the market via our channels 3. We nominate a list of candidates and talk to them in relation to your needs 4. You are presented with 3 candidates who seem to be able to meet your needs 5. At the 3 meetings (at your place or digitally) you can ask questions and possibly see examples of their work 6. You choose the freelancer with whom you would like to start a collaboration 7. We set it up in our systems with time registration etc. so you have an overview and full controlIn other words: After you have described your need, you just have to set aside 2 hours to meet with 3 hand-picked and screened candidates. It is your guarantee of a good result with reasonable effort.Do you have any questions? Write to me at carsten@marketingcapacity.com.