Architecture Consulting
From Strategy to Production
Engineering-grounded, practitioner-led architecture consulting. From enterprise-wide strategy reviews through to production implementation. We bridge the gap between vision and working software.
Engineering-Grounded Architecture
We design what we build — grounded in real implementation experience
Smacktech's architecture practice is built on a simple premise: architecture decisions should be backed by real implementation experience. We don't draw boxes and leave you to figure out the rest. Every recommendation we make is informed by hands-on delivery across enterprise architecture, solutions architecture, cloud engineering, and digital transformation.
Enterprise Architecture
TOGAF, ArchiMate, current-state assessment, target architecture, and transition roadmaps. We align technology strategy with business objectives using proven methodologies and deliver the strategic framework your organisation needs.
Solutions Architecture
Domain-driven design, event-driven architecture, cloud-native patterns. We design scalable solutions using C4 models, ADRs, and detailed technical specifications that guide delivery teams to working production systems.
Cloud & Digital Transformation
Multi-cloud expertise across AWS, Azure, and GCP. We architect and implement cloud platforms, data pipelines, integration fabrics, and IoT systems — taking modernisation from strategy through to production deployment.
What Sets Us Apart
Engineering-Based Architecture Grounding
Every engagement is rooted in real software engineering practice, not abstract frameworks. We make architecture decisions backed by implementation experience — we've built what we design.
Proven Scaling Track Record
IoT platforms serving national utility networks, fleet management across thousands of assets, enterprise transformations spanning global supply chains. We deliver at scale.
International Project Experience
Delivered across New Zealand, Australia, and North America including engagements with FedEx, Starbucks, and Boral. We bring global best practice to every engagement.
Full-Stack Architecture Capability
From enterprise architecture (TOGAF) down to code-level decisions (DDD, event-driven, cloud-native). We operate across the full architecture stack — from enterprise strategy to production code.
What Our Clients Say
“Scott's enterprise architecture expertise was instrumental in our digital transformation journey. His ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value helped us align our technology investments with strategic priorities, resulting in significant operational improvements.”
CIO
Utility Company, New Zealand
How We Deliver
A proven six-phase framework for architecture transformation
Every engagement follows a structured approach that adapts to your organisation's maturity and needs. Whether it's a two-week review or a six-month transformation, these phases provide the rigour that delivers lasting results.
Discovery & Assessment
We begin by understanding your business strategy, current technology landscape, and organisational capabilities. This comprehensive assessment identifies strengths, gaps, and opportunities for architectural improvement.
Architecture Vision & Strategy
Based on our assessment, we develop a clear architectural vision aligned with your business objectives. This includes defining guiding principles, target state architecture, and strategic priorities.
Reference Architecture
We create detailed reference architectures across four domains — business, data, application, and technology. These establish standards and patterns for consistent implementation across your enterprise.
Roadmap & Transition Planning
We develop a practical roadmap for transitioning from current to target architecture, sequencing initiatives based on business priorities, dependencies, and implementation constraints.
Governance Framework
We establish architecture governance processes, roles, and tools to ensure ongoing alignment between technology decisions and business strategy, maintaining architectural integrity while enabling innovation.
Implementation Support
We provide ongoing guidance during implementation, helping teams apply architectural standards while adapting to changing business needs. Our practitioners stay engaged until the architecture is live and delivering value.
Right-Sized for Your Needs
Five engagement types spanning review through to embedded delivery
Architecture Review
1-4 weeks
Review & Design
2-6 weeks
Project Delivery
4-12 weeks
Implementation
4-16 weeks
On-Site Consulting
Ongoing
1. Architecture Review
Best for: Independent assessment of current architecture health
A focused review of a company, division, project, or product. We analyse the existing architecture, identify risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities, and deliver a findings report with prioritised recommendations.
- Architecture review report
- Risk and gap register
- Prioritised recommendation list
2. Review & Design
Best for: Organisations that know they need to change but need a clear picture and roadmap
A combined engagement covering analysis and design. Starts with current-state assessment and gap analysis, then produces a target state architecture and design proposal with transition roadmap.
- Current-state assessment
- Gap analysis
- Target state architecture
- Design proposal with roadmap
3. Project Delivery
Best for: Organisations with a defined project needing architecture design and oversight
Architecture services scoped to a specific project or programme. We design the solution architecture, define the technical approach, and produce the artefacts needed to guide delivery teams.
- Solution architecture design
- Technical specifications and ADRs
- Architecture governance framework
4. Implementation
Best for: Organisations that need architecture carried through to production
We take architecture through to working production. Delivery can happen through two approaches:
AI Harness: Setting up an AI-powered development harness, enabling rapid, architecture-guided implementation via AI tooling.
Existing Development Team: Working alongside your team, providing architecture guidance, code review, and technical leadership throughout implementation.
- Working production implementation
- AI harness setup and configuration (where applicable)
- Implementation documentation and runbooks
5. On-Site Consulting
Best for: Organisations that need deep, ongoing architecture partnership
The most engaged model. An architect works on-site (or embedded remotely) with your team, providing continuous architecture guidance, governance, and hands-on technical leadership. A true partnership — we become part of your delivery capability.
- Continuous architecture guidance and governance
- Ongoing design decisions and ADRs
- Technical leadership and mentoring
- Architecture artefacts produced iteratively
2026 Architecture Qualification Framework
Two ways to find the right engagement for your organisation
This quick-fit quadrant maps your Strategic Value against Implementation Readiness to suggest an engagement type. For a detailed score with personalised recommendations, take the15-question Architecture Maturity Assessment. By mapping your Strategic Value against Implementation Readiness, you'll discover the optimal path forward.
Quadrant 1
Fast-Track
High strategic value, high readiness. Ready for immediate architecture design and delivery. Proceed directly to engagement.
Quadrant 2
Foundation-Build
High strategic value, low readiness. Needs strategy before architecture. Begin with Discovery & Assessment to build the foundation.
Quadrant 3
Streamline
Low strategic value, high readiness. Tactical improvements and targeted optimisations. Scope a focused Architecture Review.
Quadrant 4
Monitor
Low strategic value, low readiness. Wait for the right timing. We'll help you track signals that indicate readiness is building.
Strategic Value | Implementation Readiness
Not Sure Where You Fit?
Take our 2-minute assessment to discover your optimal engagement model, expected timeline, and investment range.
Our Technology Domains
Proven tools and platforms we use across consulting engagements
Data & Analytics
We apply the Medallion Architecture (Bronze-Silver-Gold) pattern across Snowflake data platforms and WhereScape RED-automated pipelines, delivering enterprise-grade analytics and BI.
Integration & Streaming
Event-driven and API-first integration patterns connecting enterprise systems with real-time data streaming, message brokering, and governed API gateways.
Cloud Platforms
Multi-cloud architecture and Infrastructure as Code. From IoT platforms on AWS to enterprise integration suites on Azure, we design and deliver cloud-native solutions.
Industries We Serve
Deep domain experience across New Zealand's key sectors
Primary Manufacturing
Utilities & Water
Engineering & Intelligent Transport
Mining, Coal Seam Gas & Construction
E-Commerce
Logistics & Fleet Management
Trusted Expertise
Delivered by a practitioner with a proven track record
Scott Mackenzie
Enterprise & Solutions Architect
Enterprise, Solutions, Cloud, and Data Architect specialising in digital transformation. Robust background in software engineering with international experience delivering large-scale projects across utilities, transport, manufacturing, e-commerce, and logistics. Combines technical depth with strategic insight to create scalable, robust architectures that meet the complex needs of modern enterprises.
Core Disciplines: Enterprise Architecture (TOGAF) · Solutions Architecture · Cloud Architecture (AWS/Azure/GCP) · Domain-Driven Design · Data Architecture · IoT Architecture · Digital Transformation
Architecture Maturity Assessment
Answer 15 questions about your organisation's current architecture, target state, and constraints. You will receive a personalised maturity score and recommendations.