Analytics, research and automation
Hire a Solutions Architect
A solutions architect designs how your tools, data and workflows fit together. I map the current process, find duplicated effort and broken handoffs, and draw the target workflow: which tool owns what, how data moves and where automation or AI helps. It suits growing companies whose systems have grown by accident.
Pricing is scoped to each project. Book a call and I will tell you what yours involves.
- 10 yearsin digital growth
- 4 marketsUK, Australia, USA and Bangladesh
- 30-60-90day plan with a written checkpoint
- 1 callto scope your project
The role
What a solutions architect does
As your solutions architect, I map current tools, data flows and handoffs, design the target architecture and the order of changes, and report on manual steps removed, duplicate data entries eliminated and time from lead to follow-up. I work as an adviser: I diagnose, set the direction and hand you a plan your team or agency can execute, with me reviewing the output.
Before
Data lives in six places, nobody knows which tool is the source of truth and every new tool adds more manual work.
With me as your solutions architect
- Map current tools, data flows and handoffs
- Design the target architecture and the order of changes
- Define which system owns each record and field
- Specify the automations and write the build brief
Deliverables
Deliverables
Every engagement produces written, checkable output. The core deliverables are written reports on manual steps removed, duplicate data entries eliminated and time from lead to follow-up, plus a working record of each decision. Nothing is hidden behind jargon or a black-box dashboard.
- 01
Manual steps removed, reported on a fixed schedule
- 02
Duplicate data entries eliminated, reported on a fixed schedule
- 03
Time from lead to follow-up, reported on a fixed schedule
Tools
Tools and stack
I work with the tools you already own wherever possible, so you keep control of the accounts and the data. For solutions architect work the stack usually includes process maps, CRM and marketing platforms, workflow automation and API documentation.
The stack
process mapsCRM and marketing platformsworkflow automationAPI documentation
Pricing
How pricing works
The cost of hiring a solutions architect depends on the number of systems and teams involved, how much of the build I supervise, the number of channels or platforms involved, the size of the team I work with, how long we work together and how quickly you need results. I scope every engagement to your situation and do not publish rates, so you pay only for the work your business needs.
What changes the scope
Number of systems and teams involvedHow much of the build I superviseThe number of channels or platformsTeam size and who needs to be managedLength of the engagementHow fast you need results
- Project
A defined piece of solutions architect work with a start, an end and agreed deliverables.
- Monthly retainer
Ongoing solutions architect work with a fixed monthly scope, reviewed every month.
- Fractional or part-time
A set number of days or hours each week, with me working inside your team.
Freelancer vs agency vs in-house for solutions architect work
| Option | Speed | Control | Accountability | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer (me) | Starts within days of agreeing scope | Direct access to the person doing the work | One named person answers for results | Scale up or down by month |
| Agency | Slower to start; account and delivery teams | Work passes through several people | Shared across a team and account manager | Fixed packages and notice periods |
| In-house hire | Slowest: recruiting and onboarding first | Full day-to-day control | Direct line manager, but one person covers many tasks | Long-term commitment, harder to change |
Before the call
What to prepare before the call
Bring these to the call so we can scope the work in one conversation.
What to prepare before the call
- A list of every tool in use
- The workflow that causes most manual work
- Who owns each system
- What changes you are planning in the next year
Proof
Case studies with decisions improved
These are real projects from my own records, with the first number shown exactly as it is reported in the full case study.
Case study
Xnexz
0 → 125
URLs live from a blank page: 2 products, 24 pages, 8 collections, 98 articles
Read the case studyVerified work
Four live websites built and run with AI tools
Xnexz, JAK's Laundry, Best Puppies Food and my own advisory site, each checked live on 31 October 2026.
Compare
Solutions Architect vs adjacent roles
An AI engineer builds one workflow; a solutions architect designs the whole set of workflows and decides how they connect.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on scope, timing and fit. Pricing is always scoped to your project.
What does a solutions architect do?
As your solutions architect, I map current tools, data flows and handoffs, design the target architecture and the order of changes, define which system owns each record and field and specify the automations and write the build brief. I diagnose, set the direction and hand your team a plan to run.
How much does it cost to hire a solutions architect?
Cost depends on the number of systems and teams involved, how much of the build I supervise, the number of channels or platforms, team size, engagement length and how quickly you need results. I scope each project individually instead of quoting a standard rate. Book a Call for a scoped quote and I will tell you exactly what your situation involves.
Freelance solutions architect vs agency: which is better?
An AI engineer builds one workflow; a solutions architect designs the whole set of workflows and decides how they connect. A freelancer gives you direct access and flexible commitment; an agency adds a larger bench. Tell me what you need on a call and I will say honestly which suits you.
When should I hire a solutions architect?
Hire a solutions architect when data lives in six places, nobody knows which tool is the source of truth and every new tool adds more manual work. If that sounds familiar, a short call is enough to confirm whether the role fits or whether something simpler would do.
What should I ask before hiring a solutions architect?
Ask for a system diagram they produced, with details removed. Ask how they decide what not to automate. Their answers matter less than whether they answer plainly, with specifics you can check. Book a Call and I will answer this for your specific situation.
How long until I see results from a solutions architect?
Timing depends on your starting point and the channel. In the first 30 days I map tools, owners and data flows with the people who use them. By day 60 I design the target workflow and rank the changes. By day 90 I hand over a build brief and review the first implementation. We agree these checkpoints before work starts.
Last updated:
Ready to talk about your solutions architect project?
A 30-minute call. You leave with three priorities, whether or not we work together.
Book a Call