What is the difference between a Solutions Architect and Technical Architect?
The first step to hiring your Solutions Architect, is making sure you understand the differences between the two most common types of Salesforce Architecture. A Salesforce Solutions Architect and Technical Architect have some key differences:
Technical Architects are very much what they say on the tin, they deal with designing technical solutions. This means their work is much more programmatic, they’re hands on with Salesforce development, and will actively use tools like Apex, LWC in their day-to-day.
Whereas the Solutions Architect is much more functional. This means they focus on understanding requirements and designing the solutions, to be later implemented by the wider salesforce team.
However, although the Solutions Architect is not doing any programming directly, they will be able to speak the technical language. Which means, they understand Salesforce technical solutions to an extent where they can engage with all members of the team, technical or non technical, and ensure everything is universally translated. This is where it can get confusing, as lot of Solutions Architects will have Apex or LWC’s as a part of their skillset, but their role wont necessarily include using any of this directly, just having that understanding.
We've summarised the main requirements for a Salesforce Solutions Architect with some key bullet points:
Leading the scoping sessions.
Designing non technical solutions.
Translating technical solutions.
Gathering requirements.
Passing on the requirements of the build, to members of the Salesforce team to initiate.
Your interview process:
Once you've understood what the Salesforce Solutions Architect does, you need to ensure your interview process is capable of qualifying their role. We've created a list of some key questions to ask during their interview process. We recommend you split this across project experience, product knowledge, certifications and wider questions.
Project experience:
What were the key responsibilities?
Do you have Implementation experience?
Do you have Migration experience?
Do you have Integration experience?
Talk me through the solution and how you built it?
Were you the sole S.A, or were you part of a wider team?
PRO TIP: (A team sometimes means responsibilities are more spread out or delegated, so it's important to decipher what the individual's role was as the S.A, for instance, did they have someone to gather requirements for them, or did they do it themselves?)
Product knowledge:
What clouds have you worked on?
What Salesforce product features have you worked on?
What tools do you use? Jira, confluence.
Salesforce Certifications:
A Salesforce Solutions Architect should have two main certifications:
Salesforce Applications Architect.
Salesforce Systems Architect.
Wider questions:
Your Salesforce Solutions Architect should be personable. Solutions architects have a duty to engage with the team, for instance when gathering requirements or translating technical solutions. Tailor these questions to aspects like company culture or the level of stakeholder engagement your Salesforce Solutions Architect will be involved with.
Average Salaries:
Average salaries for a Salesforce Solutions Architect can differ. Keep your eyes pealed for our guide to hiring a Salesforce Solutions Architect, coming soon! Or, make your own enquiry here: Contact Us | Steadman Brown
Working with a Salesforce Recruitment Agency:
Still stuck on how to hire your Salesforce Solutions Architect? Or simply don’t have the time to qualify your interviewees?
This is where working with the UK’s leading Salesforce Recruitment Agency comes in handy. Steadman Brown cut the time consuming part out for you, presenting you with pre-screened, worthy candidates. We have worked with over 200 businesses, where 95% of our clients trust us to exclusively build their Salesforce teams.
Our team are all Salesforce Certified, and we are registered Salesforce Partners, which means we understand the technology and therefore how to find people with the specific requirements you’re looking for. If you don’t know where to start with job descriptions or requirements, this is also something we can help with!
Book a call with us today to get started:
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