What does an information architect do?
An information architect specializes in designing and developing user-friendly visual imagery that aims to inform and convey messages. Their responsibilities involve utilizing CSS and HTML software, creating websites and layouts, coordinating with the creative and design teams, and developing strategies to produce an attractive and functional interface. They must also understand the needs of the clients or company, drafting designs for approval. Furthermore, as an information architect, it is essential to maintain an active line of communication with team members for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Information architect responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real information architect resumes:
- Manage whole UNIX file system and monitor all UNIX process.
- Lead, document, and report on the daily scrum meetings.
- Serve as an SME on technical and policy issues to high level managers and technical leads for national systems.
- Manage the metadata repository and set of reference parameters for external and internal web content.
- Migrate documentation from FrameMaker into LCA and rework to apply structure authoring and minimalism principles (DITA).
- Interview SMEs and QA to gather documentation data.
- Support QA efforts through team integration and end-to-end testing.
- Research and build POC's of new API technologies.
- Design in PHP custom solutions to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
- Add IBM Tivoli Netcool and BMC automation to ATM monitoring tools.
- Develop custom publishing solutions and multilingual search technologies, using C++, Java, etc.
- Experience with GitHub issues and repositories, markdown, agile development, and API documentation.
- Work with project managers, customers and SMEs for product planning, development and delivery.
- Used JCA technology to provide resource adapters for connecting to the ERP Webservices through ESB.
- Solve all complex UI interactions using Ajax, with Java developers in JSP pages under runtime.
Information architect skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Information Architects are proficient in Java, Data Architecture, and Data Models. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Interpersonal skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Information Architects that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 6%
Designed and co-implemented a configuration framework (XML, XLST, Java, VB and SQL).
- Data Architecture, 6%
Provided expertise our clients in Enterprise Information Management with an emphasis on data analysis, data architecture and data quality.
- Data Models, 5%
Consulted with both the business and technical stakeholders to develop logical and physical data models to fulfill business and technical requirements.
- Metadata, 5%
Formulated a method for integrating relational and NoSQL data structures using metadata integration bridges combined with RDBMS and Big Data Modeling.
- Data Quality, 4%
Created and documented solution architecture, data and process flows, technical specifications for system components and data quality gap analysis.
- Data Governance, 4%
Design and provide enterprise data governance, information management, and enterprise content management solutions.
Most information architects use their skills in "java," "data architecture," and "data models" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential information architect responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for an information architect to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." Additionally, an information architect resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "created documentation-including flowcharts, use case scenarios, site maps, schematics, interactive prototypes, and wrote detailed functional specifications. "
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform information architect duties is interpersonal skills. Information architects responsibilities require that "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." Information architects also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "created business and sales opportunities through strong interpersonal skills, self-promotion, and seo techniques. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of information architects is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday information architect duties, as "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed custom publishing solutions and multilingual search technologies, using c++, java, etc. "
Analytical skills. A big part of what information architects do relies on "analytical skills." You can see how essential it is to information architect responsibilities because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical information architect tasks: "commenced soa, agile, and big data journey and the use of data visualization using tableau report development. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for information architect responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of information architects all the time, as "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." An excerpt from a real information architect resume shows how this skill is central to what an information architect does: "managed sharepoint communication and interconnection with key business units and stakeholders. "
Creativity. Another skill commonly found on information architect job descriptions is "creativity." It can come up quite often in information architect duties, since "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day information architect responsibilities: "created content inventories, conceptual diagrams, interaction flows, site maps, and annotated wireframes. "
The three companies that hire the most information architects are:
- General Motors52 information architects jobs
- USAA30 information architects jobs
- Xylem29 information architects jobs
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Compare different information architects
Information architect vs. Sql server developer
A structured query language (SQL) server developer is a specialist who is tasked to develop and maintain systems to store, organize, and access databases. With their experience in data architect and management, SQL server developers can develop and scale SQL databases based on the needs of their organization. They conduct troubleshooting in databases which involve data validation and extensive testing to ensure that the end user's specifications are met. They are also involved in the maintenance of the organization's server.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between information architects and sql server developer. For instance, information architect responsibilities require skills such as "java," "data architecture," "data models," and "metadata." Whereas a sql server developer is skilled in "database objects," "sql server analysis," "ssrs," and "ssis packages." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Sql server developers earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $95,274. On the other hand, information architects are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $117,059.sql server developers tend to reach similar levels of education than information architects. In fact, sql server developers are 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Information architect vs. Software engineer
A software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that information architect responsibilities requires skills like "data architecture," "data models," "metadata," and "data quality." But a software engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "python," "software development," "database," and "git."
Software engineers earn a lower average salary than information architects. But software engineers earn the highest pay in the start-up industry, with an average salary of $122,617. Additionally, information architects earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $117,059 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Software engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than information architects. In fact, they're 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for information architects in the next 3-5 years?
Dak Kopec Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Coordinator, BA Interior Architecture and Design and Master of Design Program, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas
Information architect vs. Lead developer
A lead developer is responsible for creating software programs and applications, following the client and the business's software quality standards and design specifications. Lead developers assist a team of developers in implementing strategic procedures, managing system codes, debugging applications, running diagnostic tests, and troubleshooting defects to ensure its smooth performance. They also respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, performing feature adjustments as needed. A lead developer must have strong knowledge of the technology industry and command on programming languages and software design processes.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an information architect is likely to be skilled in "data architecture," "data models," "metadata," and "data quality," while a typical lead developer is skilled in "architecture," "c++," "git," and "api."
Lead developers earn the highest salary when working in the retail industry, where they receive an average salary of $119,501. Comparatively, information architects have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $117,059.lead developers typically earn similar educational levels compared to information architects. Specifically, they're 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information architect vs. Developer
Developers are usually system or application developers in a company who work on specific projects related to networks or applications from conception to implementation. They attend planning sessions to ensure that the program is feasible. They are responsible for designing the system through coding and basic user interface design. They also work on troubleshooting any challenges that may be met at the testing stage of the program's development. They solve challenges and ensure that minimal problems will arise upon publishing the system or application. They also manage the evaluation to ensure that the program's goals are accomplished and that the end-users are satisfied with the results.
Types of information architect
Updated January 8, 2025
