I almost cringe sometimes when strangers outside of the IT industry ask me “What do you do?” Typically one of two reactions occur – eyes glazing over with an “oh” or “what type of buildings do you design?” I’ve come up with some interesting different answers to the question ranging from “helping to design computer systems/networks” to “working with internet research” (which is much more glamorous/sexy and easy to say but not really the whole truth). I’d be interested in any good ways you’ve found to respond.

I also get asked the question from those within the IT industry and even other Systems Architects themselves which often leads to a more interesting and dynamic discussion of where a Systems Architect starts, where it overlaps, and where it ends.
The Webster definition for an architect is a person who designs and guides a plan or undertaking.

A good list of detailed responsibilities for a Systems Architect is also found at Wikipedia which is more focused on a person who has control of the big picture and overall requirements for a complex system ensuring a robust, cost effective, reliable, and strategic solution.

“The systems architect is the high-level designer of a system to be implemented. The systems architect establishes the basic structure of the system, defining the essential core design features and elements that provide the framework for all that follows, and are the hardest to change later. The systems architect provides the engineering view of the users’ vision for what the system needs to be and do, and the paths along which it must be able to evolve, and strives to maintain the integrity of that vision as it evolves during detailed design and implementation.”

A Systems Architect usually has the following responsibilities:

• Overall design – the blueprints which provide the map
• High level planning for the development – overall steps for creation of the solution from the blueprints
• Integration constraints – rules and constraints for all components going into the solution
• Adherence to standards whenever possible – to maximize the future investment value and minimizing costs
• Customization for individual customer needs – understanding and recommending the best customization based upon the customer’s needs (which include anticipation of their needs and explaining it in layman terms).

This illustration will summarize the role of a Systems Architect.

Role of a Systems Architect

My own definition is also dependent on the scope of the Architect – enterprise, for a particular business or vertical market focus, or within a specific project. The Architect will have more granular responsibilities as the scope gets tighter and the designs therefore more detailed.

Probably I should add on to my title that I design computer based systems the same way an architect builds a house – my “computer house” needs to be built with standard switches and electrical outlets for future expansion, custom features to be desirable and marketable, and cost effective to meet their budget.

Adnan Arif

Myth#1: Managers have magic pills.

Reality: Dealing with human minds is very complex and most challenging. There is no science, it’s a pure ART. Whatever you do, there will still be people who are unmanageable and there will be changes uncontrollable. In my humble opinion, a good manager can:

1. solve 50% of problems completely,
2. partially solve 15% of problems,
3. can make 15% of problems looks like no impact problem or out of scope by making them explicit with the help of communication,
4. 20% problems are such that they always remain (some people in a certain context and some changes can never be managed). We must accept this.

Please note that above figures is only an expression of my experience and not based on any scientific study or research.

Managers are also human beings who are as imperfect as anyone else. Management is a different concept with holistic approach. It’s a different profession all together that is designed to manage people and processes with imperfections. People with a good experience and study of this subject can bring a lot of value.

Myth#2: Managers always curb freedom.

Reality: May be true for some bully managers. But in reality, a good manager creates an environment that enhances performance thereby bringing BEST out of people. A manager with experience and vision may curb team’s freedom temporary but it has an objective that eventually helps people only. Sometimes people are not able to visualize that far ahead because of (a) lack of experience (b) working in extreme comfort zone (c) arrogance that always has side effect of shortening the vision (d) any other unquoted reason.

It may also be the case that incompetent people have fear of being exposed and hence, they feel managers curb freedom. People who have zest to perform should raise their bars, use manager’s experience to plug gaps and work closely with him/her thereby taking more responsibility and let the manager rest in peace.

Myth#3: Manager should not have authority.

Reality: Some countries and cultures by default inculcate responsibilities and duties in public life. The authority is not required in these cases, a coach/facilitator would work perfectly fine in these kinds of environments. But concept of authority is more relevant in those societies which are still evolving and yet to reach a maturity level. Any manager has to have authority in those environments. A manager without authority would be like a car without fuel. Studies have revealed that human mind by psychology (especially in adulthood) is like a hard iron bar which is very difficult to bend. In order to shape the iron into a beautiful vessel, authority is required. The moment, whole world becomes so diligent, responsible, mature and high performance in a self organizing manner – all management institutes would be closed globally.

Adnan Arif

I can’t live without Internet like many of you belonging to this new IT era. You will never find me alone anywhere because I will be in the company of my IPhone, HTC Touch PRO or Laptop. I am a gadget lover and if you are planning to give me a gift, give me some gadget and I would love it. I am a die heart computer games fan and I have large collection of computer games ranging from racing, Shooter, strategy, adventure, etc. I like to watch movies whenever I get free time from my work. I have a huge collection of movies spanning 500 GB plus hard drive space, 50+ DVDs and countless CDs.

I am working as Project Manager/Systems Architect and Manager Operations at an idea based Startup Company named Allainet Corporation. I am managing the complete process including Idea conception, Feasibility Plan, Competitor Analysis, Software Architecture, Database Design, Team Planning, Task management, Graphics Design, Marketing Planning, SEO, Security, QA and Testing, Deployment Plan, Maintenance and Project Enhancement.

Currently managing team comprising of Software Engineers, Database administrators, Content Writers, SEO Engineers, QA Engineers and Testers in coordination with Networks Team and Graphics Design Team. Some of my ventures are:

• MaybeNow.com
• Barbados.com

Beside these I am involved in multiple in-house products for supporting the Development Process and Automation of the Activities. Several projects are in process of development and much more in Idea Conception and Feasibility Phase.

I will be sharing my thoughts with you folks in coming days on number of different topics excerpted from my life, work, experiences, discussions, events or thoughts. So stay tuned for some interesting reads.

Adnan Arif