Social Sciences In The Work of a Cloud Solution Architect
Kiori A. Edwards
Introduction
As businesses increasingly move their operations to the cloud; the role of Cloud Solution Architects (CSA) has become critical in designing and managing scalable, secure, and efficient cloud-based systems. Despite the technical expertise in areas like cloud computing and software architecture, the role of a Cloud Solution Architect extends beyond those measures. CSAs often meet with Azure customers to discuss the needs of their requested architecture environment. It is the CSA’s job to build an architecture that is a solution to what is asked by the customers. With that being said, social science research and principles then come into play such as areas like psychology, sociology, and organizational behavior. Each social science provides valuable insights that allow Cloud Solution Architects to make more informed decisions and understand client needs to enhance the measures of their solutions for their customers. This paper explores how Cloud Solution Architects depend on social science research and principles in their careers to manage complex interactions when aligning with customers’ goals.
Psychology
The primary task of a Cloud Solution Architect is to design cloud-based enterprise solutions that meet the specific needs of a customer. It is not only necessary for the CSA to have a deep understanding of aspects of technical requirements, but also user interaction. CSA must consider how users will interact with the system that they are asking for. Psychological principles such as cognitive load (amount of mental effort required to use a system) are vital to consider when designing architectures for customers so that there isn’t much confusion or misinterpretations of the applications. The architecture must be user-friendly and adjusted to the level of technical literacy of the customers. CSAs must also have the ability to connect with users to help sell the solutions that Azure has to offer. There are other cloud computing platforms that customers each consider when asking for a new environment. As a result, CSA must be able to communicate and learn customers’ behaviors to gain their trust in the Azure cloud computing platform.
Sociology
Sociology helps Cloud Solution Architects gain insights into the social influence that is within organizations. For example, when there is new cloud technology that users in tech organizations are lenient towards, CSA must become familiar with this technology to embed it in their solutions to meet the needs and availability of customers. By applying sociological principles, Cloud Solution Architects can better design systems that align with organizational culture, and anticipate social dynamics that may affect cloud adoption. Another example of this is the different cloud service offerings that Azure provides: Iaas-Infrastructure as a Service, Software as a Service, and PaaS-Platform as a Service. Savvy customers who communicate well with their understanding of software development would likely be suggested towards an IaaS model. At the same time, one who isn’t would be directed toward the SaaS model, which is where the cloud providers handle everything related to the software application, including hosting, maintenance, updates, security, and infrastructure. I mention this because a CSA must be able to communicate with customers on a psychological level which is enough to guide the customers to the correct solution. Culture and cybersecurity is a topic discussed in class and I feel that it ties into the aforementioned. It is mentioned that organizations have cybersecurity cultures, and CSAs leverage this understanding of these cultures to integrate them into their solutions. Liability (“refers to legal or financial responsibility a business or individuals has for decisions and behaviors”), is another concept that is mentioned in class and this also ties into the work of CSA. Knowing the legalities of each organization and how they would fit in cloud computing is necessary to know. This is a perspective that relates to sociology and it demonstrates the professionalism of these specialists.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cloud Solution Architects (CSAs) play a vital role in designing cloud-based solutions that not only meet technical specifications but also align with the social, psychological, and organizational needs of customers. By integrating principles from social sciences such as psychology, sociology, and organizational behavior—CSAs can better understand user behavior, enhance communication, and create more effective, user-friendly architectures.
References
Microsoft, What is SaaS? (2024), https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/cloud-computing-dictionary/what-is-saas
Harvard University, IQSS RCE Cloud Overview (2014), https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/researchtechnology/files/iqss_rce_cloud_04.15.2014.pdf
Cornell University, Cloud Computing Solutions, (n.d.), https://socialsciences.cornell.edu/computing-and-data/cloud-computing-solutions.