Systems and Solutions Architect- Capstone Project
Alex_AlekseevHello, and welcome to the Systems and Solutions Architect Capstone Project course!
This capstone course is designed for aspiring systems architects and solutions architects, system analysts, and other professionals ready to apply their knowledge and skills to solve real-world enterprise challenges. Through this comprehensive project-based course, you will take on the role of systems and solutions architect for a retail bank to transform their legacy systems into a secure, scalable, cloud-driven platform.
This capstone emphasizes enterprise design thinking, compliance alignment, and stakeholder communication skills that you’ve developed throughout the program, from identifying key stakeholders, requirements gathering, and project planning, risk analysis, data visualization, creating data infrastructure, system design and security, database design, test planning, configuration, and documentation.
Whether launching your systems and solutions architect career or advancing your current role, this capstone provides hands-on experience with the tools, techniques, and methodologies used by professional systems and solutions architects in today's technology-driven business environment.
This course is the culmination of the program IBM Systems and Solutions Architect Professional Certificate the other courses in this certificate program include:
- Introduction to Systems Analysis
- IT Systems Design and Analysis
- Project, Stakeholder, & Requirements Management
- Business Process Modeling, Analysis, and Improvement
- Cloud Native, Microservices, Containers, DevOps, and Agile
- Enterprise Data Architecture and Operations
- Data Integration, Data Storage, & Data Migration
- Software Testing, Deployment, and Maintenance Strategies
- Cybersecurity Architecture
- Generative AI: Solutions Architects and Systems Analysts
Follow the links above to learn more about the complete program and see how these courses can benefit you to advance your career as a systems analyst.
Course Syllabus
This course consists of six comprehensive modules, plus a bonus career guidance and tips. We recommend setting aside approximately 18 hours to complete all modules successfully. Consistency will help you achieve your learning goals and create a portfolio-ready capstone project.
You’ll get the maximum benefit from viewing all videos and readings, completing hands-on labs, and engaging with the real-world retail bank scenario throughout your learning journey.
You’ll get the maximum benefit from viewing all videos and readings, completing hands-on labs, and engaging with the real-world retail bank scenario throughout your learning journey.
Module 1: Project Initiation and Requirements Gathering
Module 2: Project Planning and Process Modeling
Module 3: Enterprise Architecture and Cloud Setup
Module 4: System and Database Design
Module 5: System Testing and Deployment Strategies
Module 6: Final Submission and Evaluation
Module 7 [Bonus]: Career Guidance and Next Steps
Module 2: Project Planning and Process Modeling
Module 3: Enterprise Architecture and Cloud Setup
Module 4: System and Database Design
Module 5: System Testing and Deployment Strategies
Module 6: Final Submission and Evaluation
Module 7 [Bonus]: Career Guidance and Next Steps
Course objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Build job-ready systems and solutions architect skills to design solutions for complex enterprise design to enhance operations and data management
- Design an enterprise architecture that replaces a legacy system and supports digital services, real-time data integration, and automated processes
- Create solution blueprints, system and data models, cloud-native deployment strategies, and security frameworks that align with regulatory standards
- Develop process flow, CI/CD pipelines, and a phased implementation roadmap
- Apply cloud-native platforms, APIs, and microservices principles to modernize core enterprise operations and agile delivery
Prerequisites
This capstone course is designed for learners who have completed all the courses in the IBM Systems and Solutions Architect Professional Certificate program. To get the most out of your learning experience, you should have some background in the following topics:
- Stakeholder engagement techniques and project charter methodologies
- Requirements documentation using the business requirements document (BRD) and outlining business scope, assumptions, and key performing indicators (KPIs)
- Process modeling and flowcharts using Lucidchart, Draw.io, or Visio
- Risk register to address threats, fraud attempts, and regulatory penalties
- Architectural diagram and registering a secure cloud container using IBM Cloud/AWS container registry
- Basic data analysis and visualization using analytics platforms
- Data infrastructure and real-time EDA blueprint
- Capacity planning and managing infrastructure inventory using hardware components
- System architecture diagrams, prototypes, and SQL DDL scripts
- Components matrix to map proposed solutions
- Proof of concept (PoC) reports for API integration with third-party service
- Designing the database, its storage, and migration
- Network security components, VPNs, and network segmentations
- Testing enterprise plans using requirements traceability matrix (RTM)
- Deploying system using CI/CD pipelines
- Strategies for data backup and recovery
- Project management methodologies and risk assessment techniques
Tools/Software used
In this course, you will use free versions or trials of several professional tools, such as
- Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Lucid chart
- Draw.io
- Docker
- BitLocker
- Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
- Kubernetes
- IBM Cloud/AWS
- MySQL
- Jenkins
You do not need to pay for these tools to complete any activities required for this course; however, if you decide to upgrade to paid versions for enhanced features, you will be responsible for any charges incurred.