A Database Architect is a professional who plays a vital role in designing and implementing the structure and organization of databases. They are responsible for creating efficient and scalable database solutions that meet the needs of an organization's data management requirements. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Database Architects.

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Main Responsibilities of a Database Architect

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Database Architect:

Advise

Advise management on product and process improvement.

Analyze

• Analyze and define customer requirements.

• Analyze existing database systems and propose improvements for enhanced performance.

Apply

• Apply and test maintenance fixes.

• Apply prior professional experience to new contexts to deliver solutions to complex problems.

Architect

• Architect and design systems, and data models around moving funds and processing payments.

• Architect and implement data governance and security for the data platforms.

• Architect, Design, Build and Support DW solution.

Assemble

Assemble large, complex data sets that meet functional / non-functional business requirements.

Assess

Assess, design and implement effective database solutions and models.

Assist with

• Assist ad-hoc query analysis across all functional business groups.

• Assist in defining product technical architecture.

• Assist with construction, testing and installation.

• Assist with software review, regression testing and validation.

• Assist with the Install, test and upgrade of application releases and associated products.

• Assist with the migration from one Eloqua instance to another.

• Assist with training for end users & troubleshoot implementation issues.

Challenge

Challenge the "status-quo” to help develop innovative approaches to systems delivery.

Champion

• Champion Data as an Asset design with business and development teams.

• Champion data governance practices and pursue operational accountability of data.

Check

Check daily maintenance for IDMS.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align database strategies with organizational goals.

• Collaborate with data analysts to define data models and support data analytics initiatives.

• Collaborate with network and system administrators to ensure database connectivity and performance.

• Collaborate with software developers to integrate databases with applications and systems.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather and analyze data requirements.

Collect

• Collect and document user's requirements.

• Collect, store product retains and samples.

Communicate

Communicate the technical design and work closely with development team.

Complete

• Complete all database documentation according to department guidelines.

• Complete and maintain all required paperwork, records, documents, etc..

• Complete and sends documentation to customers (i.e. COA).

• Complete special requests as needed.

Conduct

• Conduct database performance testing and optimization activities.

• Conduct regular database performance monitoring and capacity planning to support scalability.

• Conduct training sessions and workshops to educate stakeholders on database best practices.

Coordinate

• Coordinate and implement IDMS database changes with APPDEV staff when necessary.

• Coordinate software upgrades with system DBAs.

Create

• Create a Conceptual Data Model for the Medicaid Enterprise.

• Create a Data Management Plan for the Medicaid Enterprise.

• Create a Logical Data Model for the Medicaid Enterprise.

• Create and documents new policies and procedures.

• Create and maintain database documentation, standards and policies.

• Create and maintain interfaces between applications.

• Create and maintain optimal data pipeline architecture.

• Create and owns best practice standards, Data Dictionaries and templates.

• Create an Information Capability Matrix for the Medicaid Enterprise.

• Create an Information Database Architecture Plan to bring the MDW into alignment with MITA 3.0.

• Create a physical database design.

• Create capacity planning forecast.

• Create Data Standards for the Medicaid Enterprise.

• Create, Design and Build SSRS Services server (On Prem / Azure).

• Create filters and Queries.

• Create logical and physical database models, including entity-relationship diagrams and data flow diagrams.

• Create, update and maintain database objects in coordination with our reporting team.

Define

• Define and enforce data naming conventions and data classification standards.

• Define data and reporting quality assurance and validation processes.

• Define data standards, guidelines, and best practices for database development and management.

Deploy

• Deploy marketing campaigns within Eloqua to promote customer experience for WebEx technologies.

• Deploy vendor provided patches and security updates as necessary.

Design

• Design and build complex data engineering tasks in conjunction with data scientists.

• Design and develop database.

• Design and execute data migrations.

• Design and Implement data architecture that improves application features and performance.

• Design and implement data warehousing and business intelligence solutions.

• Design and implement effective database solutions and models to store and retrieve company data.

• Design / manage solutions to meet High Availability and DR requirements.

Determine

Determine appropriateness of data storage, archive, purge and backup strategies.

Develop

• Develop and configure the storage and maintenance of the data.

• Develop and implement data administration policy, standards and models.

• Develop and maintain data migration and integration strategies between different database systems.

• Develop and support ongoing ETL processes for both internal operations and client integrations.

• Develop associated budgets (solutions, training, knowledge transfer).

• Develop budgets that align with designs, inclusive of all aspects of the delivery.

• Develop datasets / reports for applications and user.

• Develop policies and procedures for network access and usage and for the backup and recovery of data.

• Develop roadmap, strategy and implementation plan.

Devise

Devise an end-to-end mapping of how data flows through application components.

Diagnose

Diagnose and debug production issues reported via ITSM.

Document

• Document and communicate standard methods, best practices and tools used.

• Document database designs, data dictionaries, and architectural decisions.

Drive

• Drive out decisions and recommendations.

• Drive projects to move the needle on database service quality.

Educate

Educate staff members through training and individual support.

Enhance

• Enhance and maintain applications.

• Enhance system availability.

Ensure

• Ensure all gauges and test equipment are verified.

• Ensure application performance, integrity and availability.

• Ensure compliance with Enterprise Architecture, Technology Standards, and Security.

• Ensure database access aligns with each end user's specified role.

• Ensure database integrity and adherence to standardized data definitions.

• Ensure data integrity, security, and privacy by implementing appropriate access controls and encryption mechanisms.

• Ensure data quality and implement data cleansing and validation processes.

• Ensure delivery of all email campaigns to database are 100% error proof.

• Ensure designs take advantage of cloud capabilities for auto-scaling and platform automation.

• Ensure optimal database performance through monitoring and tuning.

Establish

Establish backup and recovery procedures to safeguard data against potential loss or corruption.

Evaluate

• Evaluate and optimize database infrastructure, including server hardware and storage solutions.

• Evaluate and recommend database technologies, tools, and frameworks for efficient data management.

• Evaluate and recommend new application software, utilities, and tools.

• Evaluate current systems.

Execute

• Execute full software development life cycle (SDLC).

• Execute on assigned projects or tasks, including design and code reviews.

Expand

Expand the use of data access through SQL queries / data sets / interfaces.

Facilitate

• Facilitate meetings and do collaborative research to facilitate the above.

• Facilitate the transfer of know-how, experiences and good practices within the ITS.

Follow

Follow and comply with all safety and work rules and regulations.

Guide

Guide development teams on database performance, needs, and ways to improve.

Help

• Help and guide junior developers with queries execution.

• Help create data structures and adapt them in application and API contracts.

• Help out data integration / migration in-between systems.

Identify

Identify cross-solution dependencies and change impacts.

Implement

• Implement and administer database replication and automate repeatable processes.

• Implement and enforce security requirements.

• Implement Database Archive and Recovery Strategies.

• Implement Database Objects and Files needed by Database Applications.

• Implement databases in accordance with company / business / vendor specifications.

• Implement data governance policies and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

• Implement disaster recovery strategies to ensure business continuity.

Improve

Improve existing, and implement new technologies to help us scale to millions of cardholders.

Install

• Install and maintain software on multiple mainframe platforms.

• Install and organize information systems to guarantee company functionality.

• Install , configure, secure SQL Production servers.

Investigate

Investigate and champion simplified integration between solutions related to program areas.

Lead

Lead and implement database design, code review, SQL query tuning.

Maintain

• Maintain databases for high availability and quality.

• Maintain departmental housekeeping standards.

• Maintain / Support IDMS security.

• Maintain the customers' relationship and be the focal point for technical and architectural matters.

Manage

• Manage and coordinate vendors activities to ensure the successful delivery of solutions.

• Manage database security, including user authentication, authorization, and auditing.

Mentor

• Mentor and coach junior colleagues.

• Mentor and provide technical support to peers.

• Mentor database support staff.

• Mentor other team members on best practices, new technologies and innovation.

Modify

Modify database procedures to increase processing performance, referred to as performance tuning.

Monitor

• Monitor and enhance pipeline of primary and secondary research into BI platform.

• Monitor and measure the success and effectiveness of all data integration initiatives.

• Monitor and tune all SQL databases to ensure high availability.

• Monitor batch production jobs, analyze results, and address any aborts / system failures as needed.

• Monitor database trends and performance indicators to identify potential issues or bottlenecks.

• Monitor IDMS application database areas growth.

• Monitor production databases and data processing jobs.

Offer

Offer support by responding to system problems in a timely manner.

Operate

Operate database management systems to analyze data.

Optimize

Optimize database performance by tuning queries, indexing, and implementing caching mechanisms.

Oversee

Oversee the migration of data from legacy systems to new solutions.

Participate in

• Participate in application and API design, test, and implementation phases.

• Participate in Data Governance Meetings.

• Participate in investigations of complaints and corrective actions as needed.

• Participate in peer reviews for designs, code, and other work products.

• Participate with a team to carry out the full lifecycle of software development activities.

Perform

• Perform calibration and maintain records for lab equipment as.

• Perform SQL Server Software Maintenance.

• Perform tests and evaluations regularly to ensure data security, privacy and integrity.

Prepare

• Prepare accurate database design and architecture reports for management and executive teams.

• Prepare datasets for Export to / Import from vendors.

Process

• Process automation and scripting.

• Process security requests for access (RFAs) to complete IDMS users security update.

Produce

• Produce and maintain code and data documentation.

• Produce training materials as required.

Provide

• Provide advice and support to development resources.

• Provide application and trouble shooting support for Supply Chain Operations personnel.

• Provide database knowledge leadership to Gilead IT and business functionalities.

• Provide database operational considerations back to development teams.

• Provide database support by coding utilities, responding to user questions, and resolving problems.

• Provide expert technical leadership to the applications development and technical staff.

• Provide guidance and support to database administrators and developers.

• Provide guidance and training junior DBAs.

• Provide guidance in the creation and modification of standards and procedures.

• Provide hands on leadership during the build, testing, and deployment of solutions.

• Provide in-depth technical and functional expertise in support of Supply Chain Operations.

• Provide input into the needs Adobe will have when building out an internal Data Services environment.

• Provide inputs to departmental / organizational budgets / plans and / or financial forecasting.

• Provide Software Life Cycle (SLC) support with enhancement requests and error corrections.

• Provide strategic guidance to Data Science and Engineering teams to facilitate best.

• Provide support for Audits and applications reviews.

• Provide support to IDMS APPDEV staff.

• Provide technical leadership and guidance on database-related projects.

• Provide the first line of support to users as the BI subject matter expert.

• Provide trainings to developers when needed.

Recommend

• Recommend solutions to improve new and existing database systems.

• Recommend to production and may develop adjustments to meet specifications.

Record

Record test results in SAP and maintain reference files.

Review

• Review and evaluate requirements from leadership and translate to technical design.

• Review objectives with clients.

• Review the current documentation of the current vendor to facilitate the completion of the above.

Schedule

Schedule data archive jobs with Production Control Unit.

Seek

Seek opportunity to mentor team members as well as learn from other team members.

Set

• Set site strategy for Supply Chain operations in relation to the Oracle eBusiness Suite application.

• Set the strategy for implementing new technologies.

Solve

Solve complex problems and develop proofs of concept to validate ideas or technologies.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with emerging trends and technologies in the field of database management.

Support

• Support and enhance IDMS / ADS & COBOL based applications.

• Support and / or participate in 7 X 24 hour production support.

• Support intelligence distribution activities including custom BI reports.

• Support the BI / DW environments and troubleshoots system related issues.

• Support the customers' success and dare to bring new innovative ideas.

Take

Take off for a four-week sabbatical after five years of employment.

Test

Test, identify and correct errors, and communicate SQL database updates as necessary.

Translate

Translate business requirements into models, and into database scheme designs.

Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot and resolve database-related issues and incidents.

• Troubleshoot performance issues and fine-tuning SQL queries and stored procedures.

Understand

• Understand database warehouse and decision support design and techniques.

• Understand how message brokers, ETL, Rest Services, etc. fit in to the data landscape.

Upgrade

• Upgrade and upsize databases from earlier versions to the latest versions.

• Upgrade and improve application schemas as necessary.

Validate

Validate proper implementation.

Work with

• Work closely with our Head of Engineering and overall engineering team.

• Work collaboratively with SQL System Architects to make changes to database management system.

• Work collaboratively with stakeholders and team members to achieve company objectives.

• Work in wide collaboration with all ITS TECH teams involved.

• Work on multiple initiatives simultaneously.

• Work on or drive multiple projects as a subject matter expert.

• Work under minimal supervision, with general guidance from more seasoned consultants.

• Work with a team of architects and engineers to develop proof-of-concept systems and components.

• Work with key individuals to identify, prioritize, manage and track outstanding development tasks.

Write

• Write scripts related to stored procedures and triggers.

• Write technical documentation.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Database Architect:

1. Proficiency in database management systems such as Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, or PostgreSQL.

2. Expertise in database design and data modeling techniques.

3. In-depth knowledge of SQL and database query optimization.

4. Familiarity with database administration tasks, including backup and recovery procedures.

5. Experience with data integration and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes.

6. Understanding of distributed database architectures and high availability solutions.

7. Knowledge of database security concepts and best practices.

8. Proficiency in data warehousing and business intelligence technologies.

9. Experience with cloud database platforms like Amazon RDS, Azure SQL Database, or Google Cloud Spanner.

10. Understanding of NoSQL databases like MongoDB or Cassandra.

11. Knowledge of data governance frameworks and data protection regulations.

12. Expertise in database performance monitoring and tuning tools.

13. Familiarity with data migration and replication techniques.

14. Understanding of data modeling tools and techniques.

15. Experience with database version control and change management processes.

16. Knowledge of data visualization and reporting tools.

17. Proficiency in scripting or programming languages such as Python or Java.

18. Understanding of data virtualization and data federation concepts.

19. Familiarity with data compression and partitioning strategies to optimize storage.

20. Knowledge of database monitoring and alerting tools for proactive management.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Database Architect:

1. Analytical thinking: Ability to analyze complex data requirements and design efficient database solutions.

2. Problem-solving: Skill in identifying and resolving database-related issues and challenges.

3. Communication: Effective communication to collaborate with stakeholders, understand requirements, and present complex concepts.

4. Teamwork: Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including developers, administrators, and business stakeholders.

5. Attention to detail: Ensuring accuracy and precision in database design, data modeling, and query optimization.

6. Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing technology landscapes and evolving database requirements.

7. Time management: Prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and managing multiple projects simultaneously.

8. Leadership: Guiding and mentoring database administrators and developers.

9. Critical thinking: Evaluating and making informed decisions regarding database technologies and architectures.

10. Continuous learning: Keeping up with the latest trends and advancements in the database field.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we explored the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Database Architects. These professionals are instrumental in designing and implementing robust database solutions that support an organization's data management needs. By possessing the right combination of technical expertise and soft skills, Database Architects can contribute to the success of data-driven initiatives and ensure efficient and secure data management practices.