What does a solution architect do?

Rashmi is a solution architect in DWP Digital’s Dynamic Trust Hub, which is based in Sheffield.

What is a solution architect?

As a solution architect, my role is about looking at the bigger picture. Solution architects at DWP Digital make sure that our teams design digital solutions that meet our users’ needs and DWP’s strategic goals. 

Across all our products and services, we adhere to a shared application reference architecture. This is essentially a toolkit of shared code, features and functions which we can reuse across our solutions. All DWP Digital teams use this reference architecture, as it ensures consistency and efficiency in how we deliver services. 

Architects play a key role in making sure our solutions can be reused and can extend across all customer channels, helping us simplify and streamline our customers’ experiences. 

The Architecture practice consists of solution, business, data, domain, enterprise and security architects, all working together to deliver the DWP 2022 vision through the Strategic Reference Architecture, a digital blueprint. This enables delivery colleagues to architect new digital products and services in a consistent way.

What skills does a solution architect need? 

I support multiple agile squads, helping and guiding them throughout the development of their technical solutions. My role also involves working with the central enterprise and domain architects to align our solutions to the wider DWP Digital reference architecture.  

I also have responsibility for getting technical designs formally approved at the DWP Design Authority. This can be a very complex process, so good organisational skills are essential, as is the ability to persuade and influence people. Solution architects also must be involved in Service Standard Assessments, which involves working with a central team of assessors. 

As a solution architect, I also get to work with the central enterprise and domain architects to help shape the DWP Digital strategic reference architecture. I am also a Technical Service Standard Assessor, and I am working towards getting a formal Service Standard Assessor Accreditation. 

Managing projects with real impact 

The Identity and Trust team, which I’m a part of, is involved in the delivery of a telephony identity verification service, along with an online identity verification service. The telephony verification service enables Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Employment Support Allowance (ESA) claimants to prove their identity when they contact DWP by phone. 

Through telephony identity verification, callers can prove their identity to the required level, and are then able to hear their next payment amount and date. This helps users who have called to ask those quick questions, without having to speak with an agent, which then frees them up to help customers with other queries and support requirements.

Our Online Identity Verification service is across online services for PIP, Access to Work, Repay and Manage Benefit Money you Owe and Pensions Reporting a Change of Circumstances. To allow users to prove their identity and access the service securely. 

I am currently working on a project to integrate DWP services with GOV.UK One Login, which is an example of great collaboration between central government departments.

Our services reuse the Identity Verification service implemented by GDS and HMRC. We also add additional checks to meet our Identity standards on our Online Identity Verification Service.

This is an example of great collaboration between central government departments. The service re-uses the Identity Verification service implemented by HMRC and adds the remaining required checks to meet our identity standards 

Continually developing technical and leaderships skills 

Everyone in DWP Digital is part of a professional community of practice. That means that we’re encouraged to grow and learn throughout our career here, and everyone has the support of their colleagues. This can mean help with developing our technical skills, or informal advice on tasks and projects. 

We have access to online training material from the likes of O’Reilly, Pluralsight, and A Cloud Guru, along with cloud vendor training and access to Gartner resources, plus other training courses through the Civil Service learning portal.

Along with technical courses, the practice also supports us with improving communication and leadership skills. Last year I went on a ‘speak with stories’ course which was really interesting. I occasionally present to stakeholders, and I’m trying to apply storytelling techniques in my presentations to make them more engaging. 

I’ve also been part of our vibrant Women in Digital network, which runs various development sessions and workshops. And I’m very proud of completing our Digital Voices programme, which is a really valuable support network for women working towards becoming leaders in the organisation. 

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