Bring it all together as software architect

If you're looking to take your IT career to the next level without additional schooling or training, Ron Jacobs, Microsoft's product manager for patterns and practices, may have the answer.

The position is software architect and Jacobs says many IT professionals may already be doing this kind of work but aren't being recognised or paid for it.

"I'm not sure why businesses haven't taken to calling them architects. Maybe they're worried they'd have to pay them more if they did."

Jacobs was visiting from the United States to speak at the Tech-Ed conference in Auckland and says many architects' roles are disguised as project manager, programme manager or IT analyst.

"Only about 10 per cent of those people we would call architects actually have the word architect in their job title."

A software architect basically designs the structure of a system and oversees its implementation. It is the role at Microsoft which Bill Gates recently abdicated to Ray Ozzie. Architects are mostly found working on large projects and at large organisations, but not always.

"Once you get beyond the small-scale project, you're going to need somebody who has a higher view of 'how are we going to put all the pieces together'."

Since business leaders may not always understand software and programmers may not always know the business plan, the architect forms the link.

"It's the architect's job to bring the business people into reality. An effective architect helps the business people to understand this mystery of software development."

Unfortunately for many developers, that requires communicating.

"Not every developer would make a good architect. You have to be a good communicator to be an architect and a lot of developers just aren't great communicators. They like to sit in their cubicle and keep their head down and write programs all day and that's fine."

Whether it's discussing the business plan with the CEO or having in-depth technical discussions with the developers and vendors, an architect has to have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

"The single most important skill that an architect has is not their technical skill to design things. It's their ability to effectively communicate between a wide range of people."

But despite the communication hurdle, Jacobs says there is a huge amount of interest in people wanting to become an architect. However, that interest may be as much practical as it is inspirational.

"If you're just a software developer and you're just focused purely on the technical skills, you're basically in a position where your job could be quite easily outsourced."

Moving from developer to architect is a logical career step - one Jacobs took himself.

"Most people who are architects were at one time or another a developer first, as I was. For more than 12 years I was a developer.

"Right now anybody could say that they're a software architect. There's not a strict definition of what it takes to be one.

"Most people who are successful architects today are essentially self-taught. The truth is, if you wanted to become a software architect today the best way to become one is to start acting like one."

If you're noticed in the office as the person who has a handle on the big picture, if you're thinking about architecture and talking about it, Jacobs says you'll be the one people think of when they think of architecture. You may not have the official job title but you'll be the architect and you may be less likely to have your job outsourced down the road.

To market yourself as an architect, you'll also need to call on your keen communication skills.

"The best route for marketing yourself is through personal connections and networking. I believe that is as true now as it has ever been."

But Jacobs says it doesn't all have to be face-to-face communication. Online message boards, discussion groups and user groups also help make important connections and can prove to be a valuable source of information from your peers.

To keep up to date with what's going on in the wider IT community, Jacobs recommends podcasts.

"Most people are working more and so have less time. But one segment of their life is probably growing and that's called commuting."

Jacobs is currently on a world tour making videos about what architects need to know about creating the user experience.

* Jacob's podcasts can be found at: www.arcast.net