A path to grow as a Software Architect incrementally
| Role | Career Stage | Responsibilities & Skill-set |
| Developer | 0 – 5 years (or forever, it is your choice) | Coding, Rule Compliance, Unit Testing, Integration Testing, Refactoring, Design Patterns Implementation, Performance Optimizations, Security Fixes |
| Technical Lead | 5 – 8 years (growing as a module designer) | Development Skill-set Plus Design Patterns, Anti-patterns, Refactoring, Reviews, Performance & Security Testing/Fixes, Design/Architecture Components |
| Technical Architect | 8-12 years (to start developing broader perspective) | Technical Lead Skill-set Plus Architectural Patterns, Design/Architecture Creation, Specific Technology Artifacts such as data, security, information, UML, Broader Technology Knowledge (Build & Release, DevOps, Deployment Topologies, Cloud Technologies) |
| Solution Architect | 12+ years (to start growing beyond single application) | Solution Mapping to Specific Technology, Impact Analysis, ROI of Technology Decisions, Broader Solution Knowledge (COTS vs. OpenSource, Solution Comparison & Recommendation) |
| Enterprise Architect | 15+ years (to start growing beyond many applications) | All the above plus Enterprise framework knowledge (e.g. TOGAF), Architectural Patterns, Architecture Evaluation Skills, Roadmap Planning, Technology Vision, Future State Architecture, Gap Analysis, Stakeholder Management (Business & Key Technical) |