The role of the architect involves more than technical expertise. The soft skills workshop is designed to ensure that trainees are aware of the challenges and the many demands that are placed upon the architect from an organizational perspective. Attention is given to the subject of leadership, project management, communication, and navigating the troublesome political waters that architects find themselves in.
Topics
§ Role of the Architect
§ Architecture Consultation
§ Architectural Leadership
§ Defining and Guiding Business Strategy
§ Politics and Architecture
§ Technical Aspects of Architecture
§ Soft Skills Project
What You Will Learn
After completing this course, the student should be able to:
§ How to think like an architect
§ Explore the importance of realizing an architectural vision
§ What skills, aptitudes, and capabilities are important for successful architects
§ Understand the importance of communication skills
§ Explore the political challenges and obstacles that architects must handle
§ Examine the organization boundaries that architects must navigate
§ Identify the critical success factors for architects
Audience
This course is applicable for Architects, Team Leaders, Managers of Architects, and individuals training to become architects.
Prerequisites
No formal requirements, although previous training in architectural thinking is preferred.
Duration
2 days.
Outline
INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE OF THE ARCHITECT
§ What makes an architect successful
§ The process of creating an architecture
§ A day in the life of an architect
CONSULTING
§ Architect as consultant
§ Interviewing the Stakeholders of an architecture
§ Analyzing and synthesizing the input received
§ The art of facilitation and leading team processes
§ Leading Architecture Reviews
§ Handling criticism constructively
LEADERSHIP
§ Architect as a leader
§ Stories and leadership
§ How to develop and effectively sell an Architectural Vision
BUSINESS STRATEGIST
§ Architect as a strategist
§ Business Context Maps
§ Technology Roadmaps
§ Scenario Analysis
ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICIAN
§ Architect as an organizational politician
§ Effectively managing organizational networks and influence
§ Communicating the architecture
TECHNICAL
§ Architect as the technical lead
§ Views, modeling and visualization
§ Innovation
SOFT SKILLS PROJECT
§ Project assignments
§ Project work
§ Preparation
§ Presentation and Discussion