You're starting a career in System Architecture. What are the most important things to know?

1 Know the basics

Before you dive into the details of system architecture, you need to have a solid foundation in software engineering principles and practices. You should be familiar with common programming languages, frameworks, tools, and paradigms, such as object-oriented, functional, or reactive programming. You should also understand the software development life cycle, agile methodologies, testing, debugging, and deployment strategies.

2 Know the requirements

One of the main tasks of a system architect is to elicit, analyze, and prioritize the requirements of the system from various stakeholders, such as users, clients, developers, and managers. You need to be able to communicate effectively with different audiences, ask the right questions, and document the requirements clearly and unambiguously. You also need to consider the functional and non-functional requirements of the system, such as performance, scalability, security, reliability, and usability.

3 Know the patterns

System architecture is not about reinventing the wheel, but about applying proven solutions to recurring problems. You need to know the common architectural patterns and styles that can help you design the system's components, relationships, and behavior. For example, you may use a layered, client-server, microservices, or event-driven architecture, depending on the system's needs and constraints. You also need to know the design patterns that can help you implement specific functionalities, such as singleton, factory, observer, or mediator.

4 Know the trade-offs

System architecture is not about finding the perfect solution, but about making informed choices that balance the system's quality attributes and constraints. You need to be able to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different architectural alternatives, and justify your decisions based on empirical evidence and logical reasoning. You also need to be aware of the risks and uncertainties that may affect the system's architecture, and plan for contingency and mitigation strategies.

5 Know the standards

System architecture is not about working in isolation, but about collaborating with other architects and developers within and across organizations. You need to know the standards and best practices that can help you ensure the system's compatibility, interoperability, maintainability, and evolvability. For example, you may use a common notation, such as UML or ArchiMate, to model and document the system's architecture. You may also use a common framework, such as TOGAF or Zachman, to guide and govern the system's architecture development and evolution.

6 Know the trends

System architecture is not about sticking to the status quo, but about keeping up with the latest technologies and innovations that can improve the system's functionality, efficiency, and quality. You need to know the trends and developments that are shaping the field of system architecture, such as cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain, or IoT. You also need to be curious and willing to learn new skills and tools that can help you design and implement better systems.