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Architecture

Architecture Change Impact Assessment

Change Impact Assessment is the proficiency to predict and measure the foreseeable alterations that might occur in an architectural framework due to a modification process. This necessitates an acute understanding of the architecture domain, coupled with a visionary ability to model potential outcomes. The aptitude contributes to risk mitigation and smooth transitions, enhancing the robustness and resilience of the architecture.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are learning to recognize when changes to architectural frameworks may create impacts. You can identify simple areas where adjustments might be needed under guidance, supporting more experienced colleagues in the process. Your developing awareness helps the team address basic risks and supports smoother architectural transitions.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are able to identify how straightforward changes may affect specific parts of an architectural framework. You seek guidance when predicting wider impacts or when changes are more complex. Your work supports others to make informed decisions, helping to reduce risks during periods of change.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to independently assess and map the impacts of architectural changes, identifying direct and indirect effects across systems and stakeholders. You confidently apply frameworks or tools to anticipate risks and develop mitigation plans. Your reviews ensure smoother transitions and help maintain the integrity of the overall architecture.

Technology Architecture Development

Technology Architecture Development is the ability to design, plan and implement software and hardware structures in line with business goals. It involves understanding the complexities of technology infrastructure and developing systems that facilitate work processes. The impact is a robust technology environment which supports business operations efficiently.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are learning the basics of technology architecture within your organization. You support simple tasks such as gathering information or assisting with documentation, while developing your understanding of core architecture principles. Your contributions help ensure that technology solutions are aligned with business needs, setting a solid base for further development.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are able to contribute to the design and planning of technology architectures under guidance. You help interpret requirements, assist with documentation, and take part in implementing solutions that support business needs. Your work begins to shape stable systems that make business operations run more smoothly.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to design and document technology architectures that meet current business needs, considering integration, scalability and security. You work with stakeholders to align solutions with organizational goals and ensure efficient delivery. Your work results in stable, effective technology systems that support ongoing business performance.

Stakeholder Engagement (Architecture)

Stakeholder Engagement (Architecture)' is the capacity to connect and communicate effectively with various stakeholders involved in an architectural project. It encompasses understanding their needs, managing expectations, and deploying relevant strategies to integrate feedback into the design process. Critical for project success, this capability cultivates resounding relationships, driving shared vision and mutual satisfaction in built-outcomes.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are able to identify key stakeholders in architectural projects and listen to their input with openness. You contribute by gathering basic feedback and sharing information clearly within your team. This helps build initial trust and ensures stakeholder needs begin to inform the direction of the project.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are beginning to identify key stakeholders and communicate with them about architectural needs and plans. You take steps to listen actively and consider their input, though you may need support handling complex feedback. Your efforts help build early trust and support for architectural initiatives.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to identify and engage with a wide range of stakeholders throughout an architectural project. You confidently gather, interpret, and respond to stakeholder needs, ensuring their insights and concerns are reflected in design decisions. Your approach fosters trust and collaborative working relationships, helping achieve positive project outcomes.

Solution Architecture Design

Solution Architecture Design is the expertise of bridging business needs with technology solutions. It demands the proficiency in exploring and understanding complex systems, then designing efficient methods to meet organizational goals. The impact is innovatively harnessing technology to deliver a robust, holistic business plan.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are learning how business needs and technology solutions connect, and starting to understand why architecture matters. You can support simple architecture tasks or help gather information for solution design. Your work helps the team map technology to business priorities with clear guidance from others.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are beginning to design solution architectures that align with business needs, under guidance from more experienced colleagues. You explore systems and propose technology approaches for defined problems, contributing your ideas to wider architectural discussions. Your work helps build a foundation for clear and effective technology solutions within the organization.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to design integrated solution architectures that meet business needs and align with organizational strategy. You confidently apply architectural principles to balance technical options, consider constraints, and ensure robust, scalable outcomes. Your designs help teams deliver practical solutions that move the business forward.

Security Architecture Alignment

Security Architecture Alignment is the proficiency to ensure that security measures correspond with the architecture's strategic objectives. Through knowledge of current security trends and a robust understanding of the firm's architecture, one aligns protection procedures. It impacts by mitigating security risks, ensuring seamless operations within the predefined architecture boundaries.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are aware that security must be considered when working within the organization’s architecture. You recognize basic security requirements and follow established guidelines to help protect systems and data. Your attention to these practices helps minimize risks and supports secure day-to-day operations.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are beginning to recognize the need to align security measures with the architectural direction of the organization. You follow established guidelines to support basic protection within existing systems and seek guidance when addressing new security concerns. Your actions help reduce minor security risks as you build your understanding of architectural requirements.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to align security measures with architectural goals, making sure protection steps fit neatly within the organization’s existing structures. You apply knowledge of current security trends and architectural frameworks to guide decisions and improvements. This strengthens risk mitigation and supports smooth, secure business operations across the organization.

Reference Architecture Use

Reference Architecture Use is the understanding and application of an abstracted model of an architecture - a 'blueprint' that depicts the structure, behavior and more specific aspects of a system. Through expert navigation and deployment of these models, individuals can govern and innovate with precision, creating high quality, efficient architectural outcomes that meet organizational needs and standards. This capability maximizes both consistency across projects and capability for unique solution creation.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are aware of what a reference architecture is and can recognize its main elements in project discussions. You use provided reference architectures to guide your understanding of system structure and design choices under supervision. This helps ensure you align with basic organizational standards while building your architectural skills.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are beginning to apply reference architecture models to your work, with some guidance. You use established blueprints to guide system structure and decision making in straightforward projects. Your approach helps support consistency and reliability, while building your skills in working within architectural frameworks.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to apply reference architectures confidently across varied projects, tailoring standard models to suit specific business needs. You use these blueprints to guide design choices, streamline decision-making and ensure consistency. Your approach helps teams deliver robust, efficient architectures that align with organizational standards and objectives.

Integration Architecture

Integration Architecture is the specialisation of designing and implementing interactions between different system elements. This capability includes the knowledge of how to design for, and manage, the efficient and secure transfer of data between both internal and external systems. Effectively using this capability facilitates seamless workflows, optimizing the performance of the whole architecture.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are aware of core concepts in Integration Architecture and can recognize the basic ways systems connect and share information. You understand why it is important to have secure and reliable data transfers between different parts of an organization. Your awareness helps you identify where integration matters, supporting more experienced colleagues to design and maintain effective solutions.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are starting to contribute to the design and implementation of basic integration solutions under guidance. You support the configuration and monitoring of data transfers between systems, learning to follow best practices and address minor issues. Your work helps ensure the reliable movement of information within defined parameters.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to design and implement integration solutions that connect multiple systems securely and efficiently. You make informed decisions on integration patterns and technologies, ensuring smooth data flow and reliable system interactions. Your work improves organizational performance by enabling seamless business processes across both internal and external systems.

Enterprise Architecture Design

Enterprise Architecture Design is the strategic process of designing the structure and behavior of an organization's IT environment. In this capacity, the capability of understanding complex systems, the ability to create clear design plans and the aptitude to navigate relationships with various stakeholders are paramount. The impact is found in enhanced system efficiency and clearer business-IT alignment, leading to effective decision-making and superior organizational performance.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are learning to recognize the main parts of enterprise architecture and understand how these fit together in simple organizational structures. You can follow set methods to help document and organize basic IT systems with some guidance. This helps your team ensure systems are mapped clearly and enables improved alignment between technology and business needs.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are beginning to support Enterprise Architecture Design by assisting with basic design tasks and contributing to documentation. You can follow established methods and work with guidance from more experienced architects, helping to link technology plans with business needs. Your input helps improve clarity in design and supports more consistent decision-making.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to design enterprise architecture that brings together complex business needs and IT systems with confidence. You clearly document and communicate your plans, engaging a range of stakeholders to ensure solutions are practical and aligned with organizational strategies. Your work improves system efficiency and supports better business decisions.

Data Architecture Development

Data Architecture Development is the proficiency to design and implement effective and efficient data infrastructure. It entails grasping business objectives, translating them into data requirements, and formulating strategic data-related solutions. This capability has significant impact on decision-making processes, by enhancing data accessibility, integration, and quality.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are learning the basics of data architecture, understanding how data supports business needs and how information flows in simple systems. You support more experienced architects by helping to document data sources and structures. Your work helps create clearer maps of data, supporting better decisions as you develop your skills.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are able to assist in designing components of data architecture under direction, applying standard methods and frameworks. You contribute to building and integrating data solutions that support business needs, while increasing your understanding of how architecture decisions affect data accessibility and quality. Your work helps ensure data infrastructure meets foundational requirements.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to design data architectures that align with business goals and ensure reliable data flows across systems. You consistently translate requirements into practical solutions, optimizing data accessibility and integration. Your work strengthens decision-making by improving data quality and fostering trusted information across the organization.

Business Capability modeling

Business Capability modeling is the structured process of defining and aligning a business's abilities with its architecture and strategic objectives. It calls for analytical skills to assess current capabilities, and creativity to envision potential improvements. The impact is a cohesive, adaptable architecture that accurately reflects business needs, optimizes resources, and facilitates effective change management.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are familiar with the basic concepts of business capability modeling and can recognize how it supports architectural work in your organization. You contribute to simple capability mapping activities with guidance from others, learning how business needs link to architecture. Your growing understanding helps ensure architecture aligns more closely with what the business actually needs.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are beginning to apply business capability modeling within architecture activities, with support from others. You can contribute to mapping current business capabilities and identifying initial gaps or misalignments. Your work helps ensure architectural decisions start to reflect real business needs.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to create and maintain detailed business capability models that align with your organization’s strategy and architecture. You work with different teams to assess gaps, suggest improvements, and clearly link capabilities to business value. Your work ensures the architecture stays relevant, supports priorities, and adapts well to change.

Architecture Roadmap Development

Architecture Roadmap Development is a strategic capability that enables the planned evolution of an organization's architecture. The collaborative capability requires comprehensive knowledge of architecture principles, current systems, and future needs. This capability's impact is inefficiency and foresight, effectively guiding organizational change while minimizing disruption.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are learning to understand how architecture roadmaps guide organizational change. You support roadmap development by gathering basic information on current systems and understanding future goals. Your contribution helps the team make informed decisions with minimal disruption, laying the groundwork for more complex planning in the future.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are able to contribute to the creation of architecture roadmaps by gathering information and supporting more experienced colleagues. You help map out future states under guidance, learning how different systems and needs fit together. Your work supports well-informed decisions and prepares you for greater responsibility in shaping organizational change.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to develop architecture roadmaps that clearly align with business strategy and future requirements. You work confidently with stakeholders to assess current systems and identify realistic transition steps. Your work helps ensure that changes are achievable, and that disruptions to the organization are kept to a minimum.

Architecture Risk Management

Architecture Risk Management is the capability of identifying and managing uncertainties and potential threats related to architectural designs. It involves evaluating potential risks, developing strategies to mitigate them, and implementing procedures to manage any that materialize. The effective execution of this capability can ensure the integrity, safety, and success of a given architectural project.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are able to recognize basic risks that could affect architectural plans or designs and alert others to them. You follow established procedures to help identify and record these risks, supporting your team to address them. Your early actions help protect the reliability and quality of architectural outcomes.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are able to recognize common risks in architectural designs and contribute to discussions about their possible impacts. You seek guidance when evaluating risks and help to implement basic risk management steps as directed. Your involvement supports safer and more reliable project outcomes while you build your skills and confidence.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to identify, assess, and address architectural risks across a range of projects with minimal guidance. You apply established risk management techniques and develop effective mitigation strategies that align with project goals. Your actions help maintain the integrity, safety, and reliability of architectural outcomes.

Architecture Review Facilitation

Architecture Review Facilitation is the ability to lead, guide and manage architectural reviews. This involves showcasing deep technical understanding, facilitating discussions about different architectures and engaging in informed decision-making. The expertise ensures a collaborative, comprehensive analysis, leading to robust architectural solutions in alignment with business expectations and industry standards.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are able to participate in architecture review sessions by listening actively and sharing your perspective when asked. You follow the review process, support documentation efforts, and respect different views within the group. Your involvement helps build collaborative habits and strengthens your understanding of architectural decision-making.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are able to support and organize architecture review meetings with some guidance. You contribute to discussions by clearly presenting information and encouraging feedback from others. Your involvement helps ensure architectural options are considered, building your confidence for leading comprehensive reviews in future projects.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to independently lead architecture review sessions, guiding teams in evaluating design choices and risks. You draw on solid technical knowledge to facilitate balanced discussions and ensure all perspectives are considered. Your approach helps teams reach agreed, well-documented decisions that support business needs and align with best practice standards.

Architecture Principles Development

Architecture Principles Development is a key capability in establishing and maintaining the cornerstone principles of architectural design. It involves formulating essential guidelines that influence architecture decisions, ensuring alignment with business and technology strategies. The expertise promotes consistency, facilitates communication, and enhances efficiency, inevitably leading to improved architectural coherence and business outcomes.'

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are aware of the purpose and importance of architecture principles in guiding design decisions. You recognize how these principles support consistent and effective solutions, and you follow established guidelines when contributing to architectural work. Your understanding helps ensure alignment across teams and supports a clear and coherent approach to architecture.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are able to contribute to drafting and refining basic architecture principles with close guidance. You help ensure these principles are clear and relevant to current business and technology needs. Your input supports more experienced architects and begins to shape consistency in architectural decisions.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to develop architecture principles that reflect both business needs and technology requirements. You use these principles to guide projects and ensure everyone is working towards the same standards. Your approach helps create clear, consistent frameworks that improve decision-making across the organization.

Application Architecture Development

Application Architecture Development is the capabilityed practice of structifying software applications within an organizational ecosystem. This capability involves designing and implementing effective software applications that align with business strategies and objectives. The impact of this influences efficient business operations and improved productivity through technology.'

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are beginning to understand how software applications fit into the bigger picture of your organization’s technology landscape. You can follow guidance to help document basic application structures and learn how they support business goals. Your contribution helps lay the groundwork for more effective and aligned technology solutions.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are starting to participate in designing and shaping software application structures under guidance. You follow established frameworks and contribute to small sections of application architecture in alignment with organizational goals. Your efforts help ensure systems fit business needs, supporting more reliable and effective operations.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to design and shape application architectures that support business goals and are compatible with organizational systems. You contribute to the planning and delivery of software solutions, ensuring they work well within the wider technology landscape. Your work leads to software that is reliable, easy to maintain, and supports business productivity.

Architecture Governance

Architecture Governance is the structured process of overseeing, directing and controlling architectural decisions within an organization. This encompasses framing the scope of designs, ensuring compliance with internal standards, and monitoring architecture-based projects. Effective governance facilitates informed decisions, aligns technical strategies with business needs and contributes meaningfully to enterprise-wide operational efficiency.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are aware of the basic principles of architecture governance and understand why oversight and compliance matter in the design process. You follow established guidelines and seek guidance when faced with unfamiliar decisions, supporting the team’s efforts. Your actions help maintain consistency and ensure architecture work meets organizational standards.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are supporting architecture governance activities by following established processes and contributing to discussions on design and compliance. You seek guidance to understand how decisions align with standards and organizational priorities. Your involvement helps maintain consistency and ensures that architecture projects meet basic expectations.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are consistently applying established architecture governance processes to your projects and initiatives. You ensure designs meet organizational standards and policies, and actively monitor compliance throughout delivery. Your approach helps maintain architectural quality and supports business goals across multiple teams or functions.

Architecture Documentation

Architecture Documentation is the strategic capability of creating, updating, maintaining, and managing documentation illustrating the architectural design, components, and relationships within a system. It requires an understanding of architectural principles and standards, and the ability to communicate them effectively. capabilityed in this area, one can significantly improve decision-making and reduce system-related confusion and risks.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are able to gather and record basic architectural information under guidance, following set templates and instructions. You focus on capturing key components and their relationships clearly and accurately. Your careful documentation supports team understanding and helps avoid confusion as work progresses.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are able to assist with creating and updating basic architecture documentation under guidance. You can capture key system components and relationships using established templates and standards. Your work helps colleagues find reliable information, reducing misunderstandings as projects progress.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to reliably create and maintain clear, well-structured architectural documentation that reflects current systems and changes. You ensure documentation stays relevant and accessible, supporting team understanding and decision-making. Your work minimizes misunderstandings and helps guide others in following architectural standards.

Architectural Standards Maintenance

Architectural Standards Maintenance is the ability to uphold the rules and guidelines relating to architectural processes and systems. It requires a deep understanding of architectural principles, with a focus on maintaining consistency and improving efficiency in design and build phases. This capability impacts by ensuring high-quality architecture that aligns with industry standards and promotes sustainability.

Level 1: Emerging

At a foundational level you are learning to recognize and follow established architectural standards under supervision. You focus on understanding the basic rules and guidelines that shape how projects are designed and built. By doing this, you help create consistent architectural work that meets expected quality and supports team efforts.

Level 2: Proficient

At a developing level you are beginning to apply established architectural standards in your work, with some guidance from others. You check that your designs and documents follow set rules, seeking clarification when unsure. This helps keep projects consistent and builds your confidence in maintaining architectural quality.

Level 3: Advanced

At a proficient level you are able to apply architectural standards confidently in your daily work, ensuring designs and solutions are consistent with organizational guidelines. You review and update standards as needed, drawing on your solid understanding of best practice. This helps maintain quality and reliability across architectural projects.

Capabilities