Software architecture is a rising industry. If you work in this field, you will surely have a dynamic career with tons of benefits. But don’t forget the challenges!
Do you want to give it a try? I can help by revealing a day in the life of a software architect. So, let’s explore the ins and outs of this job now!
Who Is A Software Architect?
A software architect is a software engineer. They set coding standards and make project-based software choices. They also get involved in every phase of the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle).
There are different types of software architects, such as data and cloud architects. Despite the type, they are in charge of these tasks:
- Researching and reviewing technical tools and standards
- Translating business needs to software developers
- Designing projects’ structure
- Testing project code
- Writing code
A Day In The Life Of A Software Architect
I’m a software architect. I will share my typical day to help you understand more about my job. Let’s see!
Start the day
I like to wake up early to enjoy the fresh air. It’s a simple way to charge energy for the challenges ahead. Then, I have a wholesome breakfast. It only takes me a few minutes to prepare.
Go to work
I’m full now. It’s time to head to the office by bus. Luckily, I live near my company, so I don’t need to commute a lot to work.
Check emails and get organized
After settling down on my desk, I start my work day by checking emails sent by my clients, managers, and colleagues. I have sorted them into groups, making it easier to follow and mark.
After that, I plan a duty list for the day. This list lets me know which tasks are more critical and should be done first. If needed, I will break large tasks down into smaller ones. Thus, the goals seem more achievable and easier to handle.
Join standup meeting
My company has standup meetings at 9 am every day for all the staff to attend. Although they are quick discussions, we can still get updated on our project’s progress and share updates. They are also a chance to introduce visitors and newcomers.
Work on programming
Programming is a significant part of my job. I write code, prototypes, and proofs of concept so developers can get those snippets to production.
But I can’t just go straight to the coding part. Here is what I have to do in different stages of the SDLC:
- Pre-development: To start, I gather requirements from my company and clients, then choose the most suitable technology stack. I also estimate the time needed for the job so my boss can follow it properly.
- Prototyping: Once I receive the approval from my boss, I decide how to come up with the solution. During this time, I must provide architectural blueprints while predicting the possible risks.
- Development: Now, I design features and components. This task involves setting quality standards and change management. And while I’m working on them, the development team follows and mentors.
- Quality assurance: I use quality assurance tools to test the software after developing it. I will make changes if needed, but they shouldn’t affect my project’s timeline and budget.
- Post development: My jobs will not stop even when the software is live. Instead, I have to keep in touch with clients to fix issues. Even if they don’t ask me, I still need to perform regular checkups to ensure everything is working correctly.
Work with customers
As a software architect, I also determine client requirements and think of how to bring out the best of their experience. If they need me to solve their problems or choose the right software, they will contact me via email and phone.
This task first requires problem-solving skills. Moreover, my clients are mostly non-technical. Hence, I need communication skills, to make complicated technical terms easier to understand.
Have lunch
I have a productive morning and am ready to take a break. Often, at 12:30 pm, I head to the cafeteria to have lunch. Gathering with my co-workers, I can even talk with them when enjoying the dishes.
Continue programming
After lunch, I get back to programming. I may work on multiple projects, which all require the same effort. The tight deadlines stress me out sometimes, but time management is a life-saver. That’s why I set a detailed duty list at the beginning of the day to stay organized.
Work with remote team members
My company has different branches across the country. Hence, sometimes, I collaborate with development teams from another branch. Luckily, we work pretty well together. Online meetings are enough to connect us and ensure productivity.
My teammates help me a lot, especially when learning client needs and brainstorming ideas. They know customers in their areas better when it comes to research. So we can exchange ideas to develop the best software development solution to satisfy a nationwide audience.
Wrap up the work
I always finish the tasks around five by checking the duty list to ensure everything is on track. If I can’t complete it all, I will leave some tasks for the next day. Since I prioritize the most important ones, it’s fine to take care of the rest later.
I also need to report the project’s progress to my boss by emailing him. This way, he can follow the stages properly and interfere if necessary.
After wrapping up the work, I can go home! It’s time for relaxation and personal stuff. I don’t often take work home, so I have the whole evening to unwind.
Conclusion
A day in the life of a software architect is all about programming, meetings, and customer care. But when a work day ends, I can enjoy myself.
Hopefully, this article can help you understand more about a software architect’s tasks. They will be what you handle once you work in this industry.
