{"id":12518,"date":"2021-12-01T10:27:27","date_gmt":"2021-12-01T17:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/?page_id=12518"},"modified":"2026-02-17T22:46:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T22:46:56","slug":"solutions-architect-resourcing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/solutions-architect-resourcing\/","title":{"rendered":"Solutions\u00a0Architect Resourcing\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span class=\"TextRun SCXW88274117 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW88274117 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 1\">Solution<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW88274117 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 1\">s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW88274117 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 1\">\u00a0Architect Resourcing<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW88274117 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Solutions Architects (SA) serve as advocates for the enterprise by recommending solutions and facilitating the design of the enterprise architecture.\u00a0 On a project, or during an RFP, we work with the necessary teams to ensure all business and ITS needs are taken into consideration.\u00a0 This will verify that the option selected meets the needs of the University, ITS, and business while staying in line with architecture best practices. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Solutions Architect team is being supported by the <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/eba\/\">Enterprise Business Analyst Team<\/a>.<\/p>\n<!-- shortcode-tab -->\n<div class='shortcode-tab-container tab-count-4'>\n    <ul class='tabs'>\n                <li class=\"tab\">\n            <a class=\"shortcode-tab__trigger\" href=\"#\" data-header=\"Simple Solution Recommendation_1\">\n                <div class=\"shortcode-tab-header selected\">\n                    <h4>\n                        Simple Solution Recommendation <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Tab Open<\/span>\n                    <\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n                <li class=\"tab\">\n            <a class=\"shortcode-tab__trigger\" href=\"#\" data-header=\"RFP_2\">\n                <div class=\"shortcode-tab-header \">\n                    <h4>\n                        RFP <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Tab Closed<\/span>\n                    <\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n                <li class=\"tab\">\n            <a class=\"shortcode-tab__trigger\" href=\"#\" data-header=\"Project\u00a0_3\">\n                <div class=\"shortcode-tab-header \">\n                    <h4>\n                        Project\u00a0 <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Tab Closed<\/span>\n                    <\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n                <li class=\"tab\">\n            <a class=\"shortcode-tab__trigger\" href=\"#\" data-header=\"If an SA cannot be assigned_4\">\n                <div class=\"shortcode-tab-header \">\n                    <h4>\n                        If an SA cannot be assigned <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Tab Closed<\/span>\n                    <\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion \" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <a class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Simple Solution Recommendation_1\" href=\"#\">\n      <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n          <h4>Simple Solution Recommendation <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Accordion Open<\/span><\/h4>\n          <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\"><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\">\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n\n<p>At times, a solution for a single business area or one that carries a lesser impact is requested. This can be for areas where we do not have an enterprise option, where the enterprise option is unavailable, or the need has not yet risen to the level of requiring an enterprise option. In these cases, a <a href=\"https:\/\/servicenow.nau.edu\/sp?id=sc_category&amp;sys_id=01274431dbf345502603266e13961901&amp;catalog_id=c4173bffdbe0c810ce1637823996198a&amp;spa=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">request to the EBA team<\/a> can be made through ServiceNow. An SA can be assigned based on availability and need.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If assigned<\/strong> the SA will schedule a meeting with the requestor to review the provided high level needs. The SA will then review all available options on campus, as well as search for viable new solutions from off campus vendors. The outcome will be provided to the requestor along with any recommendations, known risks, and possible next steps. This recommendation is tentative based on the given knowledge at the time of the request. At times, especially during implementation, new information may come to light that would create the need for a reevaluation of the recommendation. If this becomes necessary, the SA may reengage with the requestor to provide a better recommendation. The more information that the requestor can provide at the start of the request, the more comprehensive the recommendation will be. A simple solution recommendation should not exceed more than 10 hours of SA work.<\/p>\n<p>If you would like to request an SA for a Simple Solution Recommendation <span data-contrast=\"auto\">before submitting a project and don&rsquo;t have firm deadline, please submit a <a href=\"https:\/\/servicenow.nau.edu\/sp\/?id=sc_cat_item&amp;sys_id=b1aaffe11bfb455060c5ca2b234bcb58&amp;sysparm_category=fdf880b1dbf345502603266e13961983&amp;catalog_id=c4173bffdbe0c810ce1637823996198a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ServiceNow Request<\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.&nbsp;&nbsp;If available,&nbsp;the&nbsp;SA team will provide an initial, high-level solution recommendation based on minimal requirements.&nbsp; The requestor must understand that a more detailed solution design will require a SPRRC approved project.&nbsp; During the project, with more detailed requirements, the solution recommendation may change.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n    <\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n        <!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <a class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"RFP_2\" href=\"#\">\n      <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n          <h4>RFP <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n          <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\"><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\">\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n\n<p>Resourcing RFPs and projects is a balancing act. If an RFP rises to the level that requires an SA resource, project resourcing may have to change and vice versa. When an SA is needed on an RFP is not as straight forward as a project. Evaluation to determine if an SA is needed will be based on criteria, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Will an enterprise system be replaced or new one be introduced or existing one will be significantly affected?<\/li>\n<li>Will a system with multiple integrations be replaced or new one introduced?<\/li>\n<li>Will the outcome of the RFP have an impact on large audience (i.e. all students, all employees, etc.)?<\/li>\n<li>Is there a functional\/technical resource that will also be participating in the RFP?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If an SA can&rsquo;t be fully allocated as a voting member (required to fully matrix responses and attend all meetings), an SA may take part as a non-voting member. In this capacity they will provide basic technical, security, and accessibility requirements. After RFP responses are received, they will look at only the technical, security, and accessibility requirements to determine if there are any red flags.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If an SA resource is needed for a technology related RFP, please contact the SA Team through a <a href=\"https:\/\/servicenow.nau.edu\/sp?id=sc_category&amp;sys_id=01274431dbf345502603266e13961901&amp;catalog_id=c4173bffdbe0c810ce1637823996198a&amp;spa=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EBA Work Request <\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">with an overview of the RFP.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n    <\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n        <!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <a class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Project\u00a0_3\" href=\"#\">\n      <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n          <h4>Project\u00a0 <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n          <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\"><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\">\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW211075600 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW211075600 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 3\">How an SA will be assigned<\/span><\/span>:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-12517 size-uncropped-large\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/12\/1How-an-SA-will-be-assigned-600x274.png\" alt=\"How an SA will be assigned\" width=\"600\" height=\"274\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/12\/1How-an-SA-will-be-assigned-600x274.png 600w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/12\/1How-an-SA-will-be-assigned-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/12\/1How-an-SA-will-be-assigned-1024x468.png 1024w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/12\/1How-an-SA-will-be-assigned-768x351.png 768w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/12\/1How-an-SA-will-be-assigned-1536x702.png 1536w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/12\/1How-an-SA-will-be-assigned.png 1758w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here are a few of the questions we will be considering at each point in decision making process:<\/p>\n<p>1a. Is detailed solution recommendation\/design required for the project?<br>\n&bull; Examples: The project entails a manual business process that needs to be automated. There is a new business need that requires a new solution. The business is replacing a current solution.<\/p>\n<p>1b. Is detailed system mapping needed?<br>\n&bull; Examples: The project is a new system implementation with multiple integrations. The project entails an existing system with multiple integrations, where there is no system mapping documentation.<\/p>\n<p>2. Does the project involve multiple business lines, or is it an enterprise project, or are there impacts to a large audience (i.e. all students)?<\/p>\n<p>3. If the answers to 1a\/1b and 2 questions are &ldquo;yes&rdquo;, an SA resource may be assigned. Assignment will begin with non-discretionary or mandatory projects, then by highest score, and then by highest strategic score.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If an&nbsp;SA resource&nbsp;is needed on a large project, the resource&nbsp;can be&nbsp;requested&nbsp;through&nbsp;the&nbsp;SPRRC&nbsp;process.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n    <\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n        <!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <a class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"If an SA cannot be assigned_4\" href=\"#\">\n      <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n          <h4>If an SA cannot be assigned <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n          <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\"><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\">\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n\n<h5>Solution Design\/Recommendation<\/h5>\n<p>A Business Analyst (BA) must be assigned to the project to aid with solution recommendation or design. To ensure that the best solution is selected for the business, ITS, and NAU, the flowchart illustration below can serve as a recommendation as to the order of actions that should be taken. An evaluation of business processes should always be the first step. Before moving to purchasing a new solution or a custom modification, the other options must be evaluated.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12513\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12513\" style=\"width: 464px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-landscape-image wp-image-12513\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/12\/Solutions_FlowChart-464x348.png\" alt=\"Solutions Flow Chart\" width=\"464\" height=\"348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/12\/Solutions_FlowChart-464x348.png 464w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/12\/Solutions_FlowChart-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/12\/Solutions_FlowChart-232x174.png 232w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 464px) 100vw, 464px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12513\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Solutions Flow Chart<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When an SA is not assigned, the BA assigned to the project should complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/nau0.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/SolutionArchitectTeam\/EQ47TtMKTI1Imujle9NAsoUBx6lqRzpelNcDNPJRiGu-cQ?e=DnadDN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Solution Recommendation Template (opens in new tab)<\/a> with the analysis done for each step. This template will prompt for all required justifications prior to moving on to the next step. A Solutions Architect will be available for questions and to review the solution recommendation before the project moves forward.<\/p>\n<h5>System Mapping<\/h5>\n<p>Documenting system mapping and design is very important for a project. If an SA is not assigned to a project, appropriate resources must be assigned to ensure all required documentation is properly captured. A problem we face when assigned to a project that already involve solutions, is that it takes time and effort to gain an understanding of those solutions before progress can be made. This can account for 20% of time and effort to every project just to get up to speed and can result in extended project timelines, missing or inaccurate information, solution inefficiency, etc.<br>\n<em>Templates coming soon. Please work with your assigned SA.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n    <\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- shortcode-right-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-right-column\" >\n    <div class=\"shortcode-right-column__container\">\n<!-- shortcode-block -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-block\">\n      <div class=\"block-header\">\n        <h3>Contact Us<\/h3>\n    <\/div>\n          <div class=\"block-body\">\n      <div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/servicenow.nau.edu\/sp?id=sc_category&amp;sys_id=01274431dbf345502603266e13961901&amp;catalog_id=c4173bffdbe0c810ce1637823996198a&amp;spa=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Open EBA Work Request<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-block -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-block\">\n      <div class=\"block-header\">\n        <h3>Team Member Feedback<\/h3>\n    <\/div>\n          <div class=\"block-body\">\n      <div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nau.co1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_0r1kduuijC2knOK\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Feedback Survey<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<h4>Additional information<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/sa\/\">SA Home Page<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Know the rules<\/p>\n<p>All NAU employees and students should read and be familiar with the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nau.edu\/university-policy-library\/appropriate-use-of-information-technology-resources\/\">Appropriate Use of IT Resources<\/a>\u00a0policy.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nau.edu\/university-policy-library\/information-technology\/\">University IT policy manual<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-right-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-right-column\" >\n    <div class=\"shortcode-right-column__container\">\n<h4><strong>Wi-Fi Map in Arizona<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/viewer?ll=34.08899753072786%2C-111.3971859&amp;z=7&amp;mid=1SGruUB2pUzitjv-NroY4pFh-NR0Gm8-1\">Interactive Map<\/a> for access to free Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the state.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/viewer?ll=34.08899753072786%2C-111.3971859&amp;z=7&amp;mid=1SGruUB2pUzitjv-NroY4pFh-NR0Gm8-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11409 size-uncropped-small\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/09\/Screen-Shot-2021-09-08-at-3.23.24-PM-300x112.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/09\/Screen-Shot-2021-09-08-at-3.23.24-PM-300x112.png 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2021\/09\/Screen-Shot-2021-09-08-at-3.23.24-PM.png 336w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Solutions\u00a0Architect Resourcing\u00a0 Solutions Architects (SA) serve as advocates for the enterprise by recommending solutions and facilitating the design of the enterprise architecture.\u00a0 On a project, or during an RFP, we work with the necessary teams to ensure all business and ITS needs are taken into consideration.\u00a0 This will verify that the option selected meets the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":335,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","ring_central_script_selection":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-12518","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12518","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/335"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12518"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12518\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22930,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12518\/revisions\/22930"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}