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IT Architecture partners with colleges, departments, and OIT teams to help plan, evaluate, and shape technology initiatives. We provide consultative guidance that helps the university make informed decisions, reduce implementation risk, and align solutions with the broader UT technology environment. Whether you are exploring a new application, preparing for procurement, or trying to determine the best path forward, the IT Architecture team is available to help.
About the Service
Modern technology decisions affect integration, security, support, data flow, user experience, and long-term sustainability. Our role is to help campus partners think through those considerations early so initiatives are better positioned for success. We work with you to understand goals, evaluate options, and provide practical guidance — helping units move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
How We Help
- Consultation and Planning. We help partners think through technology ideas before major decisions are made. Early engagement can clarify goals, identify dependencies, and surface risks before time and resources are committed.
- Solution Architecture Guidance. We translate business and operational needs into practical technology approaches, evaluating options, tradeoffs, supportability, and fit within the university environment.
- Procurement and Requirements Support. We assist with technical planning to support successful procurement, including defining requirements, contributing to RFP/RFQ development, and identifying integration and security considerations.
- Modernization and Innovation Advisory. We help campus partners modernize services in thoughtful, practical ways — keeping a clear focus on sustainability, usability, and operational reality.
- Standards, Recommendations, and Roadmaps. Depending on the engagement, our work may result in standards guidance, recommendations, architectural direction, or roadmap-oriented planning artifacts.
When to Engage IT Architecture
Consider reaching out when you are planning a new application, platform, or significant technology change; need help shaping procurement requirements; want to understand integration, security, or operational considerations; or are looking for a collaborative partner to help think through architecture and long-term direction. In general, the earlier we are engaged, the more helpful we can be.
What You Can Expect
IT Architecture is a consultative and advisory service — not a formal approval body or gatekeeper. Because our team is small, we focus where early consultation, complexity, or cross-functional impact makes architectural support most valuable.
Our Approach
Our work is guided by a few core ideas: alignment with university goals, partnership and early engagement, simplicity and user experience, interoperability and standards, security throughout the design process, practical and phased modernization, and data-informed planning.
Contact IT Architecture
To request consultation, please submit an online request for IT Architecture.
Knoxville Area, including UT Knoxville, UT System, Institute of Public Service, Institute of Agriculture, and Audiology and Speech Pathology. Faculty, Staff, Students, and Departments.
This service is available during standard business hours.
There is no cost for this service.