Solution Vision — Perspectives of an Architecture Consultant

In the fast-paced world of technology and business, having a clear and compelling Solution Vision can make the difference between a project’s success and its downfall. A powerful Solution Vision not only aligns stakeholders but also drives innovation and ensures that the end product meets its intended goals.

It is of utmost importance to architects and designers who are consultants or who assist key stakeholders in chartering the design and build roadmap. The very fact that a consultant has been hired is to augment the existing skills and capabilities of the team. It is also the team’s responsibility to obtain optimum output from the consultant. The idea of the value of a consultant is a shared view and a significant contributing factor to the success of a project employing consultants.

Once we start attaching the concept of value to every activity performed, the definitions of What, How, When, and Why become evident. Another crucial aspect is collaboration. Are we communicating enough with the team so that they understand the big picture? Are we listening to the voices in the team or just dictating our views for them to follow? Are we giving them a chance to speak up and challenge our thinking as leaders?

Time and again, it has been proven that communicating the big picture drives innovation.

Simon Sinek, in his book “Start with Why,” tells a story of two stonemasons. In this story, the storyteller asks a couple of the same questions to both stonemasons: “What are you doing, and do you like your work?”

When the first stonemason is asked what he is doing, he replies, “I have been building this wall for as long as I can remember. The work is monotonous, arduous, and requires me to work in difficult weather conditions. The stones I have to carry are heavy and backbreaking. I am not sure if the project will be completed in my lifetime.”

Then the storyteller moves toward the second stonemason. His reply stunned the storyteller. “Yes, I love my job. I am building a cathedral. And yes, the work is monotonous, long, and tough on my body. I am not sure if I will be able to see the project completed in my lifetime. But I’m building a cathedral.”

As Simon rightly points out, the second stonemason is completely on board with why he is doing what he is doing. This makes a significant difference in his approach compared to the first stonemason.

A lot of similarities can be derived in our lives too. Sometimes, in the spirit of getting the work done on time, we become mechanical without even questioning the why of our work. “Why are we doing the work that we are doing?”

Equally important is the fact that it is also a leader’s responsibility to explain that “why” to their teams, including the consultants who may be part of the team for a shorter period than the rest of the team members.

Now back to the Solution Vision question.

There can be a great divide between how business and technology leadership perceive an end solution versus what designers would think, versus how builders and testers see it. This is evident from the end solution that is developed.

Below is just an adaptation of an example that we have seen many times in different ways. All of the previous examples illustrate the differences in the perception of people building things. The important thing to note is that in all good faith, everyone is trying to achieve the same target — a fully functioning bike in this case. But still, the differences in perception can lead to different outcomes.

Here are the five images illustrating the different perspectives of a bike project:

1. Stakeholder’s Perspective: An idealized and overly simplistic bike design.
2. Designer’s Perspective: A detailed and aesthetically pleasing bike design with realistic features.
3. Builder’s Perspective: A bike under construction, with visible components and tools.
4. Tester’s Perspective: A bike with test equipment and debugging screens, focusing on identifying and fixing issues.
5. End-Solution: A functional bike, ready for use with remarkable differences.

These images depict how the actual vision differs from reality at each stage, emphasizing the importance of having a clear vision. As I have explained with the two scenarios above, there are a few takeaways:

“Why?” It is important to ascertain why we are doing what we are doing. It is equally important for the implementation teams to understand it.

Now let’s look at the ideas that can produce a solution vision with 10x impact.

1. Start with the End in Mind and aligned with Business Objectives at all times

Clearly define the future. What will the world look like once your solution is implemented? Describe this future in detail, highlighting the benefits and changes it will bring. This future-oriented approach sets a clear direction for your team and stakeholders.

This applies at every level — business and technology leaders, solution architects/lead architects, and all consultants and team members on board. A Solution Vision must be tightly aligned with the overarching business goals. Understanding the strategic objectives of your organization and ensuring your vision supports these aims is crucial. This alignment guarantees that your solution is not only visionary but also relevant and valuable to the business.

As consultants, it makes a great deal of difference if you understand that your outputs are achieving value for the organization. Often repeated many times, but it is imperative to define what value means for a piece of work to be done, how it is tied to the big picture, and also to be able to demonstrate that the originally envisaged value has been achieved after the work is done.

“A consultant should try their best to clarify and understand the perceived end state. Sometimes stakeholders may see that as a waste of time and just want to focus on what is required of the consultants. A consultant in this scenario will do what is asked instead of what is required. But the divide in both approaches is significant and is reflected in the outputs produced in each case.”

2. Foster Customer-Centricity, Innovation and Creativity

Put the customer at the heart of your vision. Identify their pain points, needs, and desires. Your solution should address these elements directly, offering clear and tangible benefits to the end users. This customer-centric approach ensures that your solution will be well-received and widely adopted.

Another great benefit of a customer-centric approach is that it eradicates any parochial approaches the leaders might have on the solution. This also relieves the leaders from having to establish the definition of value.

“We build things for our end customers. Customers are the people who derive value from what we build. So the definition of value is not attached to our personal views; rather, it originates from our customers.”

This results in encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and innovation, challenging your team to explore new technologies, methodologies, and approaches. An impactful Solution Vision often involves pushing the boundaries and venturing into uncharted territory. Embrace creativity and be open to novel ideas.

Finally, creativity thrives in an environment where voices and opinions are heard and valued.

3. Communication is the key

Simon Sinek, in his book “Start with Why,” cited the examples of Southwest Airlines and Apple numerous times. His argument is that once the vision is understood by everyone in the organization (internal, external, and consultants in our scenario), the job is half done. This is where communication is important. Both the employees at Southwest Airlines and Apple understand and live the purpose of their organization, and their work outcomes are equally able to demonstrate that.

Conclusion

For consulting solution architects, a successful project outcome is crucial for their profile as it demonstrates their ability to provide value to their clients. They should ensure this in all scenarios and influence the thinking of their client stakeholders. Even though consultants may contribute for a shorter period on the project, maintaining a clear and aligned big picture vision will drastically improve the quality of outcomes.

In the dynamic world of consulting, the ability to convey and align a powerful Solution Vision is the linchpin of success. A consulting solution architect’s reputation hinges on their capacity to deliver value and drive innovation, even within limited engagement periods. By fostering a shared vision, consultants can ensure that every stakeholder, from internal teams to external partners, is rowing in the same direction. This alignment not only enhances project outcomes but also solidifies the consultant’s role as a transformative force within their clients’ organizations.

Remember, it’s not just about delivering a solution; it’s about inspiring a vision that propels everyone towards excellence. When every team member sees and understands the ultimate goal, the path to success becomes clearer, and the results more impactful. So, keep your vision sharp, your communication clear, and your commitment unwavering. The difference between a good project and an exceptional one lies in the vision that guides it.

Thanks for reading my post.