Architecting for bussines value

Architecting for bussines value

Introduction

The development of latest high-tech solutions not only requires specialists knowledge and skills, but increasingly also system-level and architectural competencies.

System architects must also have insight in the complexities of the market, and be able to translate overall product objectives into technical solutions, address design integration across disciplines and ensure that the product’s functional and extra-functional requirements are met.

This 3-4 day course is designed for system architects working in companies developing complex high-tech systems who should have knowledge of architecture and of the impact of marketing and business on product and technology.

Learning goals

By the end of the course participants will have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of system architecting and a working knowledge of how to reason about system architectures from a marketing, business and R&D point of view.

Contents and format

The course can be offered in a face-to-face, blended, or fully online format.

  1. Face-to-face
    In a face-to-face format participants will work in teams on a real life product development case from your own company. The course is highly interactive. Participants will apply content directly on their assignment and explore different views of the architecture to be developed. The course results in a high level concept which can be presented to higher management.

  2. Blended
    The blended course consists of 3 modules. The first module is the individual preparation and is an online learning activity. The second module is a 3-days face-to-face workshop. The closing module concerns reflective homework, which will be carried out online. All modules include teacher interaction.

    This format meets the demands for efficient learning and training for professionals under the pressure of job duties.

  3. Online
    The online format consists of online video lectures, remote coaching, and teamwork. Participant are expected to study the online course material, apply it on a company assignment, and have regular remote coaching sessions. This format especially meets the demands for professionals working at different locations, or teams that want to have an outside perspective while developing their system.



Module 1

A preparation module that focuses on the role of a system architect in a business context and a system level reasoning framework. Learners are expected to watch multiple short video lectures, study additional references, and reflect on them in the context of a recent project they were involved in in order to identify their learning goals. Joint interactive sessions with the teacher of the course will be organised to support this module and to prepare for the face-to-face workshops (Module 2).

Module 2 – Deepen Insights

A 3-days face-to-face workshop meant to deepen, and reflect on, insights and personal learning goals identified in Module 1. Additional system architecting approaches and methodologies will be offered and applied on a joint team assignment. Learners are expected to select 3 key learning goals to discuss internally after the workshop.

  • Topic 1: Functional/Black Box View

  • Topic 2: Life Cycle View

  • Topic 3: Business Planning/Financials

  • Topic 4: CAFCR+ First Iteration

  • Topic 5: Storytelling

  • Topic 6: Partitioning and Interfacing

  • Topic 7: Dynamic Behaviour

  • Topic 8: Budgeting

  • Topic 9: Concept Selection

  • Topic 10: Customer Key Driver Graph

  • Topic 11: System Qualities, Line of Reasoning

  • Topic 12: Architecture Overview

Module 3 – Embed Insights

This module supports learners in the translation and application of learnings to their daily practice. Learners are expected to reflect on their learning goals with a senior system architect / manager from their own company. Additional remote discussion and evaluation with peer learners and teacher will be offered.