Position Description: Solution Architect
Position Number(s)
004417/005689/004861/004164
Manager’s Role Title
IT Strategy, Architecture& Integration Lead
Business Group
Business Services
Manager Once Removed
Manager IT Planning & Application Services
Level of Work
VI SA Water Hierarchy Level
Direct Report’s Role
Title(s)
Not applicable
1.1 Purpose (Unique value add)
The role is accountable for creation of technology strategy and architecture artefacts.
1.2 Objectives
The objectives (maximum 6) of this role are to:
 Provide input into the technology strategy and future operational/capital plans around integration solutions and ensure suitable governance around the
definition and management of integration services to ensure these strategies and plans are implemented.
 Develop and maintain technology strategies, standards and methodologies and associated design and solutions.
 Produce well defined, well documented, viable, and cost effective solution architectures aligned to stakeholder requirements and enterprise architecture
within the agreed deliverable timelines.
 Maintain information around solution designs and integration components within PlanningIT for all data transfers between internal and external
systems.
 Ensure that technical reference architectures and patterns are applied appropriately in domains including enterprise application integration, enterprise
web portal, information management, business intelligence, enterprise data warehouse, service-oriented architecture.
 Provide advice and guidance to reviews and decisions at the Architecture Review Committee (ARC) and Design Authority (DA).
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Position Description: Solution Architect
SA Water
1.3 Shared Organisational Goals
As a member of the Business Services Group you are collectively accountable for delivering our goals and objectives.
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Position Description: Solution Architect
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1.4 Key Accountabilities
Select relevant objectives from section 1.3 of this PD: Our Strategy 2016-2024 (also available on the AquaNet) and add them to the table as key
accountabilities.
The key accountabilities (minimum 4 and maximum 6 including the mandatory ones), of this role are:
Key Accountabilities
Output/Measures
Mandatory accountability:
 Implement the direction set by your people leader.
 Complete specific tasks allocated.
Contribute effectively to the team ensuring efforts
are aligned toward achieving team goals
 Collaborate effectively to ensure team goals are achieved by providing input into decision making and problem
solving.
 Actively contribute to creating a culture of service excellence.
Mandatory accountability:
Put safety above all else
Provide support and guidance to Solution
Architecture Team/peers
 Be aware of and apply roles and responsibilities in accordance with WHS Roles and Responsibilities Procedure.
 Take responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others including your own fitness for work (e.g.
under the influence of drugs, alcohol and/or fatigue).
 In support of the Technology Strategy, Architecture and Integration Lead provide day to day advice and
guidance to Solution Architect peers and other Information Services members to ensure continued high quality
outcomes are delivered and all technology aspects are considered when making Solution Architecture
decisions or the development of solution designs.
 Provide an “alternative viewpoint” to the IT Strategy, Architecture and Integration Lead to ensure all aspects of
IT strategy and architecture decisions are considered.
 Provide a secondary point of contact for Solution Architects and business customers on strategy and
architecture topics when the IT Strategy, Architecture and Integration Lead is unavailable to ensure efficient
decision making processes can occur and reduce any possible delays.
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Position Description: Solution Architect
SA Water
Key Accountabilities
Output/Measures
Ensure technology solutions meet all stakeholder
requirements
 Be assigned to designated project teams in the role of Solution Architect.
 Analyse business requirements, identify solution options, and recommend the preferred option.
 Define system/component requirements inclusive of all business and technical requirements.
 Ensure application integration aligns with architectural vision, standards, and guidelines.
 Define system architectures, including component models, enterprise service models, operational models, etc.
 Identify architecture decisions and ensure that they are documented effectively and endorsed by the
appropriate party.
 Identify/prioritise risks and develop mitigation strategies.
 Ensure traceability from business requirements through system/component requirements to systems
integration and user acceptance test.
 Ensure solution alignment with the enterprise architecture.
 Produce solution architecture deliverables such as Options Analysis, System/Component Requirements
Specification, System Architecture Definition, Requirements Traceability Matrix, etc.
 Ensure all technology solutions are captured and updated within PlanningIT.
Evolving, enhancing and promoting technology
strategies
 Develop, maintain, and communicate technology strategy standards and methodologies under the direction of
the IT Strategy, Architecture and Integration Lead.
 Engage with IS and business stakeholders to ensure that technology strategies are developed in alignment with
business outcomes and corporate goals and strategies.
 Promote and guide SA Water staff to the principles and contents of technology strategies to ensure their
correct implementation and adherence (especially on IS Projects).
 Provide input into strategic planning information gathered IS groups and direct from other relevant areas of SA
Water.
 Technology Strategy and IS Plan drafted for review and stakeholder endorsement.
 Provide technical advice and guidance on the development of technology strategies and plans.
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Position Description: Solution Architect
SA Water
Key Accountabilities
Output/Measures
Participate in architecture governance groups
 Participate as an active member of the Architecture Review Committee (panel of technical peers with
responsibility for architecture endorsement).
 Present architecture decisions to the Architecture Review Committee for determination our endorsement as
appropriate.
 Present architecture information sessions on specific aspects from enterprise or solution architecture.
 Act as proxy for the chair of the Architecture Review Committee as required.
 Act as proxy for the chair of the Design Authority as required.
 Provide administration support on the Architecture Review Committee and Design Authority as required.
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Position Description: Solution Architect
SA Water
1.5 Behavioural Competencies
Uphold SA Water’s Values:
 Put safety above all else
 Act in the best interests of customer and the community
 Seek and apply better ways
 Respect our people
 Be trustworthy
Behavioural Competencies
Behavioural Expectations
Customer Focus
 Anticipates needs of customer and follows through.
 Makes decisions that take into account value for customer.
 Speaks up and identifies problems arising.
Collaborate for Success
 Works co-operatively with others to achieve the best outcomes.
 Maintains effective working relationships with others in the team and across the business.
 Treats people in an honest, courteous and respectful manner.
Self-Management
 Focuses on delivering services despite challenges.
 Presents ideas clearly and concisely.
 Is responsive to the changing needs of our customers and business by adapting to change.
Achieve Results
 Takes personal responsibility for mistakes and learns from them.
 Looks for ways to continually improve and finds better ways.
 Focuses on achieving outcomes using good judgement and quick decisions that lead to business success.
Safety Culture
 Puts safety first when making decisions.
 Adheres to safety processes and procedures and reports when things are ‘not right’.
 Openly communicates ways of improving safety.
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Position Description: Solution Architect
SA Water
1.6 Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Foundation knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications
Essential or Desirable
Relevant tertiary qualifications in information technology, business or computer science
Essential
Good communication skills (both written and verbal)
Essential
Strong understanding of solution architecture, enterprise architecture frameworks, reference architectures, information and communication
technologies, and business application patterns
Desirable
Information technology technical experience and understanding of the current Information technology requirement
Desirable
Strong understanding of technology strategy, architecture and technology governance requirement
Desirable
Knowledge and experience with solution architecture patterns such as service-oriented architecture (SOA), enterprise application integration
(EAI), enterprise service bus (ESB), and enterprise data warehouse (EDW)
Desirable
Detailed understanding in development of information, applications, technology architecture
Desirable
Sound knowledge of information technology systems and databases
Desirable
Experience in all aspects of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) requirements
Desirable
Experience in the governance of integration solutions
Desirable
Experience with service oriented architecture solutions and governance practices
Desirable
Experience with Microsoft BizTalk and Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
Desirable
Experience with directing and guiding development teams to achieve integration outcomes
Desirable
Knowledge in the development of solution architecture documentation
Desirable
Flexibility and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
Desirable
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Position Description: Solution Architect
SA Water
1.7 Key Stakeholder Relationships
 CIO
 Level-3 Managers
 IS Portfolio Manager
 SA Water business and IS personnel
 Consultants/technology vendors
 IS service providers
 IS Project Managers
 Internal and external audit
 SA Water Regulation Team
 Government agencies
1.8 Special Conditions
 Flexible hours and some after hours as required, some intra and interstate travel
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