In a constantly evolving digital world, information systems are increasingly interconnected, heterogeneous and critical to business operations. Faced with this growing complexity, the success of an IT project depends as much on its functional relevance as on the solidity of its technical foundations. This is precisely why the involvement of a technical architect from the scoping phase onwards is essential and strategic.
Starting without a technical vision: an underestimated risk
“Too often, IT projects are launched based on clearly identified business needs, but without any real assessment of their technical feasibility. What is the risk of launching an IT project without a solid technical vision of the solution? It’s a bit of a cliché, but it’s like building a building without foundations.
This lack of foresight exposes the project to numerous risks, including:
- Significant delays due to the late discovery of technical constraints or incompatibilities with the solution;
- Additional costs caused by emergency fixes, architecture revisions or unforeseen infrastructure requirements;
- Loss of quality with “cobbled together” or non-optimised solutions;
- Integration difficulties that can compromise the consistency and performance of the overall system;
- Risks of non-compliance, particularly with security and regulatory standards (e.g. GDPR);
- User dissatisfaction due to poorly aligned features or complex application maintenance;
- The threat of project delays or even failure if major technical issues are not anticipated as early as possible.
As the saying goes, “It’s better to consult a lawyer before you see them after the problems arise.” The same applies to technical architects. Their role is to anticipate technical obstacles, align the project with company standards, and ensure long-term technical consistency and security.
The technical architect’s involvement is essential from the scoping phase onwards
From the very first discussions, the technical architect acts as a catalyst between the business vision and technical reality. It is at this stage that the major technical guidelines that will guide the entire project lifecycle are defined.
Assessing technical feasibility
The technical architect analyses the constraints of the existing information system, dependencies on internal or external components, and infrastructure, performance and security requirements to validate that the proposed solution is feasible.
Define the target architecture
In line with the company’s strategy and standards, the technical architect designs a coherent architecture that facilitates the reuse of existing components and complies with architectural principles.
Anticipate integration with other systems
The technical architect identifies the interfaces to be exposed or consumed. They also determine the data exchange formats and take into account interoperability and security constraints, thereby ensuring a stable and scalable solution.
Secure the solution from design onwards
The technical architect integrates security requirements (authentication, authorisation, encryption, etc.) and regulatory constraints (particularly those related to the GDPR) in order to prevent the risk of breaches or non-compliance.
Guide technological choices
The technical architect assists in selecting the solutions best suited to the project’s needs, while taking into account business constraints, performance, maintainability and scalability. They evaluate the various architecture options and advise on frameworks, tools and platforms.
Make cost and time estimates more reliable
The technical architect provides a precise overview of the technical development and testing workloads. They also identify the necessary skills and anticipate infrastructure and support requirements, enabling a realistic budget to be established.
Produce structured deliverables
The technical architect formalises the technical vision in the form of architecture files and decision matrices that will serve as a basis for collaboration between the various project stakeholders. Through this set of activities, the technical architect lays a solid foundation that reduces risk and ensures the overall consistency of the solution.
A strategic investment, not an additional cost
“Involving a technical architect from the outset does not add an unnecessary layer of complexity. It avoids costly mistakes, streamlines decision-making and speeds up the project thanks to a clear, realistic and shared vision.
In a context where projects must move faster and faster without compromising quality, the technical architect becomes a key player in performance and risk management.
In conclusion
Involving a technical architect from the scoping phase transforms a simple project into a lasting success. By anticipating risks, securing technological choices and aligning the solution with the company’s strategy, the technical architect lays the solid foundations that will guarantee the system’s durability and performance.
“Don’t build your IT project on shifting sand: secure it from the outset with an architect
