Who Is a Data Architect? Role, Responsibilities, Skills, and More

Who is a Data Architect? 

A data architect is an IT professional responsible for designing, creating, deploying, and managing an organization's data architecture. Data architects make sure that data is accessible, secure, and reliable by developing and maintaining data frameworks, models, and policies. They understand the overall data requirements and improve databases to work faster and handle more data efficiently. Once we know what is data architect, let's hop on understanding what is the work of data architect and data architect roles and responsibilities.

What Does a Data Architect Do?

According to DAMA International's Data Management Body of Knowledge, a Data Architect "provides a standard common business vocabulary, expresses strategic requirements, outlines high-level integrated designs to meet those requirements, and aligns with enterprise strategy and related business architecture," 

A data architect understands the business needs, explores the existing data structure, and creates a blueprint for building an integrated framework of easily accessible, secure data aligned with business strategy. The data architect also defines the processes of testing and maintaining the database.

A data architect considers all data sources concerning business operations and outlines a design to integrate, centralize, and maintain the data. On the other hand, a data engineer is responsible for building and testing sustainable data architectures for the organization to facilitate easy data search and retrieval. Data architects collaborate closely with data engineers to create a sound data architecture.

Data Architect Roles and Responsibilities

Data architect roles and responsibilities include the following:

• Developing and implementing an overall organizational data strategy that is in line with business processes. The strategy consists of data model designs, database development standards, implementation and management of data warehouses and data analytics systems.
• Identifying data sources, both internal and external, and working out a plan for data management that is aligned with organizational data strategy.
• Coordinating and collaborating with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and vendors for the smooth functioning of the enterprise data system. 
• Managing end-to-end data architecture, from selecting the platform, designing the technical architecture, and developing the application to finally testing and implementing the proposed solution.
• Planning and execution of big data solutions using technologies such as Hadoop. In fact, the big data architect roles and responsibilities entail the complete life-cycle management of a Hadoop Solution. 
• Defining and managing the flow of data and dissemination of information within the organization. 
• Integrating technical functionality, ensuring data accessibility, accuracy, and security.
• Conducting a continuous audit of data management system performance, refine whenever required, and report immediately any breach or loopholes to the stakeholders.

What Skills Does a Data Architect Need to Possess?

After understanding data architect roles and responsibilities let's read about some of their must-have skills: 

1. Technical Skills

• Knowledge of systems development, including system development life cycle, project management approaches and requirements, design and testing techniques
• Proficiency in data modeling and design, including SQL development and database administration
• Understanding of predictive modeling, NLP and text analysis, Machine Learning
• Ability to implement common data management and reporting technologies, as well as the basics of columnar and NoSQL databases, data visualization, unstructured data, and predictive analytics.
• Data mining, visualization, and Machine Learning skills
• Knowledge of programming languages Python, C/C++, Java, and Perl

2. Soft Skills

• Team and stakeholder collaboration is one of the soft skills a data architect must have becausethey need to coordinate and collaborate with users, system designers, and developers in their day-to-day functions.
• Other highly desirable traits of data engineers include effective communication and leadership qualities.

Types of Data Architects

1. Enterprise Data Architect: Enterprise data architects are supposed to focus on the overall data strategy and architecture for the entire organization, ensuring data aligns with business goals.
2. Solution Data Architect: They design and implement data solutions for particular projects addressing very specific business needs.
3. Information Architect: The information architect’s job is to ensure efficient and user-friendly access and management of information.
4. Data Warehouse Architect: Specializes in designing and managing data warehouse systems for storing and analyzing large volumes of data.
5. Cloud Data Architect: They focus on designing and managing data architectures in cloud environments, ensuring both scalability and security.
6. Big Data Architect: Big data architects work with huge datasets and design systems that can efficiently process and analyze big data.

Data Architect Salary

A data architect's salary can vary based on factors such as experience, location, industry, and the size of the company. 

1. Data Architect Salary in the US

Data architects in the US has an average annual income of $1,35,00. In other major tech hubs they earn an average salary of:

• San Francisco - $2,20,00 / year
• New York -  $2,01,000 /year
• Seattle - $1,97,000 / year

2. Data Architect Salary in India

Data architects in India earn an annual income of over ₹28 Lakhs. In other major tech hubs, they earn an average salary of:

• Bangalore - ₹30 Lakhs / year
• New Delhi -  ₹25 Lakhs /year
• Hyderabad - ₹26 Lakhs / year

How to Become a Data Architect?

The bare minimum qualification requirement for a data architect is a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field. Suppose you are a fresh graduate aspiring to be a Data Architect. In that case, you can jumpstart with internships that offer exposure to network management and application design and proceed toward the role of Database Administrator. Working on your skills related to database management, data modeling, and data warehousing, you can gradually progress your career to a Data Architect's profile. 

While each technical skill a Data Architect requires is not taught in one course, it makes sense to pick up relevant skills while on the job. Alternatively, you can also take up additional certifications to equip yourself. One should get a certification that covers several data-related learnings, including but not limited to data management, programming, application design, big data developments, systems analysis, and technology architectures. 

Conclusion

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FAQs

1. Do data architects need to know coding?

Yes, data architects need to know coding, especially for creating and managing database structures and data integration processes.

2. Is a data architect the same as a data engineer?

No, a data architect designs the overall data framework, while a data engineer builds and maintains the data infrastructure.

3. Is a data architect the same as a data analyst?

No, a data architect designs data systems, whereas a data analyst interprets and analyzes data to provide insights.

4. Is a data architect job an IT job?

Yes, a data architect job is considered an IT job, focusing on data management and infrastructure within an organization.