Integration Solution Designer (WEBMETHODS) recruitment
Job Title: Solution Designer
Summary of the role's main purpose
• To ensure that components and solutions delivered within the IT programmes and projects are aligned to architectural standards and models whilst maximising reuse of components and patterns to accelerate delivery and improve supportability:
o Maintains relationships with Technology Planning Architects, Business Solution Managers, Programme / Project Managers assisting them in the scoping of projects
o Helps shape and guide projects by being involved in the initial Solution design activity carried out by Technology Planning
o Ensures that the components of projects are aligned to Technology Standards
• To be accountable for the creation and implementation of practical, flexible detailed system designs (application, data, integration) ensuring they meet the business requirements and remain aligned to the solution architecture created by the Technology Planning
o To resolve any technical design issues that may arise during the whole development lifecycle
Principle accountabilities
Responsible for the creation of the detailed design:
• Applies technical knowledge to produce creative yet practical technical detailed designs (application, data and integration) that users can understand and operate, which can be implemented and rolled out
o Working with Architects to ensure alignment to the high-level design, technology roadmap and design principles
o Working with Business Analysts to ensure designs meet the business requirements
o Working with the Analyst Programmers to ensure designs fit with the system requirements
• Obtains buy-in from those who need to support the implementation of the design
• Provides high-level time and cost estimates for the delivery of the technical elements of a project so that informed decisions can be made about the best way to deliver the required change
Ensures alignment with Architecture Standards through:
• In conjunction with the Architects, quickly resolving any technical design issues that may arise during the development lifecycle, ensuring there is alignment with the Solution Architecture, so that development progress is not delayed
• Working with development teams to ensure that fit-for-purpose solutions are developed and implemented as per the detailed design and that potential technical issues are resolved early
• Creating and maintaining reusable assets that generalise architectural and design approaches. Ensures that the patterns are 'fit for purpose' to be used by delivery projects and that projects apply them appropriately.
• Ensuring that the solution components of projects are aligned to Technology Standards and Technology Roadmap through ongoing Design Authority engagement and appropriate document reviews
• Keeping up to date with trends and developments in relevant technologies
• Maintaining relationships with Technology Planning Architects, Business Solution Managers, Programme / Project Managers to influence their decisions regarding the scoping and approach to projects
Measures of success
• Solutions successfully signed-off by Technology Planning
• Components of Projects/Programmes are delivered on time, at agreed cost and quality
• Components of Projects/Programmes make good reuse of existing components and where new components are created these are as generic and reusable
• Number of projects that pass detailed design gates
Resources available to the Job-Holder
• Third party development resources
• Internal Senior Analyst Programmes and Analyst Programmers
Level of decision-making authority
• Detailed system design ownership of programmes/projects
• Sign-off of design outputs on projects
• Recommendation to Application Services Manager on Risk and Renewal proposals
Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
• Substantial track record of successfully delivering large or complex IT programmes/ projects through the full lifecycle
• Proven ability to lead system integration and design workstreams within large programmes or projects
• Detailed experience of detailed solution design being used within a large organisation
• Experience working as an a Solution Designer
• Proven ability to influence senior executives through effective influencing skills
• Makes customer-oriented decisions and shares great stories of exceptional customer service
• Remains visible to customers as the face of IT to listen to their concerns and share these with others
• Proactively takes responsibility, owns any issues arising and follows through to resolve them (get the required result) and recognises how individual responsibility impacts team delivery and inspires others to do the same
• Works collaboratively with a range of people to support the wider business agenda
• Always remains focused on the most critical / impactful task to hand using all resources efficiently and effectively
• Proactively identifies areas for improvement, shares lessons learnt with colleagues and encourages others to do the same
Skills