19 Sharepoint Architect Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various sharepoint architect interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Sharepoint Architect Interview Questions
- How have you designed and implemented SharePoint solutions in the past?
- What are some of the most challenging aspects of SharePoint architecture?
- How do you approach designing a custom SharePoint solution?
- What are some of the common pitfalls when working with SharePoint?
- How do you integrate SharePoint with other enterprise systems?
- What experience do you have with developing custom SharePoint applications?
- What are some of the best practices for managing SharePoint deployments?
- How do you troubleshoot SharePoint issues?
- What performance optimization techniques do you use for SharePoint?
- How do you manage security for SharePoint solutions?
- What is your experience with migrating to newer versions of SharePoint?
- What high availability and disaster recovery strategies do you recommend for SharePoint?
- What tips do you have for optimizing SharePoint search?
- How do you work with the various stakeholders when designing a SharePoint solution?
- How do you ensure that your SharePoint solutions are scalable and extensible?
- What governance models have you used for SharePoint deployments?
- What experience do you have with social features in SharePoint?
- How do you use the various collaboration features in SharePoint?
- What business intelligence features have you used in SharePoint solutions?
How have you designed and implemented SharePoint solutions in the past?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the Sharepoint Architect's experience in designing and implementing SharePoint solutions. This is important because it will give the interviewer a better understanding of the Sharepoint Architect's ability to design and implement solutions that meet the specific needs of the organization. Additionally, the interviewer can also get a sense of the Sharepoint Architect's design philosophy and how they approach problem-solving.
Example: “In the past, I have designed and implemented SharePoint solutions using a variety of methods. Depending on the specific needs of the project, I have used different tools and techniques to create custom SharePoint solutions. In some cases, I have used out-of-the-box functionality to create solutions, while in other cases I have created custom code to meet the needs of the project. In all cases, I have worked closely with the customer or client to ensure that their needs are met and that the solution meets their expectations.”
What are some of the most challenging aspects of SharePoint architecture?
SharePoint architecture can be challenging because it is a complex system. It is important to understand the challenges so that you can design a system that is scalable and efficient.
Example: “There are many challenging aspects to SharePoint architecture, but some of the most common challenges include:
1. Ensuring high availability and performance
2. Creating an efficient and scalable architecture
3. Designing for security and compliance
4. Managing data growth
5. Integrating with other systems”
How do you approach designing a custom SharePoint solution?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the Sharepoint Architect's level of experience with designing custom SharePoint solutions. It is important to know how the Sharepoint Architect approaches such a project in order to gauge the potential success of the project.
Example: “When designing a custom SharePoint solution, the first step is to understand the business requirements and objectives. Once the requirements are understood, the next step is to design a solution that meets those requirements. The solution should be designed using best practices and should be scalable and extensible.”
What are some of the common pitfalls when working with SharePoint?
SharePoint is a complex platform with a lot of potential for errors and problems. By understanding the common pitfalls, an architect can help to avoid or mitigate these issues. Additionally, it shows that the architect is knowledgeable and experienced with the platform, and is therefore likely to be a good fit for the role.
Example: “There are a few common pitfalls when working with SharePoint that can trip up even the most experienced users. One of the most common mistakes is not understanding the difference between SharePoint Online and SharePoint On-Premises. SharePoint Online is a cloud-based service, while SharePoint On-Premises is an on-premises solution. This can lead to confusion when trying to use features or functionality that only exist in one version or the other.
Another common mistake is not taking advantage of SharePoint's built-in search capabilities. Search is one of the most powerful features in SharePoint, but it can be difficult to configure if you're not familiar with it. Not taking advantage of search can lead to frustration when trying to find information stored in SharePoint.
Finally, another common mistake is not understanding the permissions model in SharePoint. SharePoint has a very granular permissions model, which can be confusing for users who are used to more traditional file sharing methods. Not understanding how permissions work can lead to problems with collaboration and data security.”
How do you integrate SharePoint with other enterprise systems?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's level of experience with SharePoint and their ability to integrate it with other enterprise systems. This is important because SharePoint is often used as a platform for collaboration and information sharing within an organization, and its ability to integrate with other enterprise systems is critical to its success.
The candidate should be able to speak to their experience integrating SharePoint with other enterprise systems, and why it is important to do so. They should also be able to share any best practices or tips they have for successfully integrating SharePoint with other enterprise systems.
Example: “The most common way to integrate SharePoint with other enterprise systems is by using web services. SharePoint exposes a number of web services that can be used to interact with data stored in SharePoint lists and libraries. Other enterprise systems can call these web services to read and write data in SharePoint.”
What experience do you have with developing custom SharePoint applications?
SharePoint Architects are responsible for designing and implementing solutions on the SharePoint platform. They need to have a deep understanding of how SharePoint works and how to extend its functionality to meet business needs.
Asking about experience with developing custom SharePoint applications helps the interviewer understand the candidate's level of expertise and whether they would be able to meet the specific needs of the organization. It is important to get as much detail as possible from the candidate so that the interviewer can make an informed decision about their suitability for the role.
Example: “I have over 7 years of experience in developing custom SharePoint applications. I have worked extensively with SharePoint 2010, 2013, 2016 and Office 365. I have deep knowledge of SharePoint architecture and development patterns. I am well versed in using various SharePoint development tools and technologies such as Visual Studio, SharePoint Designer, InfoPath, JavaScript, jQuery, AngularJS, KnockoutJS, REST/CSOM/JSOM API, C# and ASP.NET.”
What are some of the best practices for managing SharePoint deployments?
Some of the best practices for managing SharePoint deployments include having a clear and concise plan for the deployment, ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of the plan and their roles in it, and testing the deployment process thoroughly before going live. It is important to have a clear plan for SharePoint deployments because SharePoint is a complex platform and there are many moving parts that need to be coordinated in order for the deployment to be successful. Having all stakeholders aware of the plan and their roles in it helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what needs to be done in order to make the deployment a success. Testing the deployment process thoroughly before going live helps to identify any potential issues that could occur during the actual deployment and allows for those issues to be resolved before they cause any problems.
Example: “There are a number of best practices for managing SharePoint deployments, which include:
1. Planning and designing the SharePoint deployment in advance. This includes understanding the business requirements, assessing the environment, and designing the architecture and solution.
2. Creating a detailed deployment plan that outlines all of the tasks that need to be completed, who is responsible for each task, and when the tasks need to be completed.
3. Testing the SharePoint deployment in a test environment before deploying it to production. This allows for any issues to be identified and resolved before they impact users.
4. Monitoring the SharePoint deployment post-deployment to ensure that it is performing as expected and to identify any issues that may arise.”
How do you troubleshoot SharePoint issues?
SharePoint architects are responsible for designing and oversee the implementation of SharePoint solutions. As such, they need to have a strong understanding of how SharePoint works and how to troubleshoot issues that may arise. This question allows the interviewer to gauge the candidate's level of expertise and see if they would be able to effectively solve problems that may come up during a project.
Example: “There are a few different ways that you can troubleshoot SharePoint issues. One way is to check the SharePoint logs. The SharePoint logs can give you information about what is happening behind the scenes, and can help you to identify any errors that are occurring. Another way to troubleshoot SharePoint issues is to use the SharePoint debugger. The debugger can help you to identify where the problem is occurring, and can also help you to fix the issue. Finally, you can also ask for help from Microsoft support or from the SharePoint community.”
What performance optimization techniques do you use for SharePoint?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a Sharepoint Architect. Firstly, it is important to know what performance optimization techniques are available for Sharepoint in order to ensure that the platform is running as efficiently as possible. Secondly, the interviewer may be interested in knowing how the Sharepoint Architect uses these techniques in their own work. Finally, this question can also help to gauge the level of experience and expertise of the Sharepoint Architect.
Example: “There are a number of performance optimization techniques that can be used for SharePoint, including:
1. Caching: Caching is a technique that can be used to improve the performance of SharePoint by storing frequently accessed data in memory so that it can be quickly accessed when needed.
2. Database tuning: Database tuning is a process of optimizing the performance of a database by making changes to the database structure, indexing, and query optimization.
3. Minimizing HTTP requests: One way to improve the performance of SharePoint is to minimize the number of HTTP requests that are made. This can be done by using techniques such as bundling and minification.
4. Output caching: Output caching is a technique that can be used to cache the output of pages or web parts so that they do not need to be generated each time a page is requested.
5. Page blobs: Page blobs are a type of blob storage that can be used to store pages of data. They are optimized for random read and write operations and can provide significant performance improvements over traditional blob storage.”
How do you manage security for SharePoint solutions?
SharePoint is a collaboration platform that allows for the storage, retrieval, and manipulation of data. As such, it is important for SharePoint architects to have a firm understanding of how to manage security for SharePoint solutions. By understanding how to properly secure SharePoint data, architects can help ensure that data is protected from unauthorized access and modification.
Example: “There are a few different ways to manage security for SharePoint solutions. One way is to use Active Directory groups and permissions. Another way is to use SharePoint groups and permissions. And yet another way is to use a combination of both Active Directory and SharePoint groups and permissions.”
What is your experience with migrating to newer versions of SharePoint?
SharePoint Architects are responsible for designing and overseeing the implementation of SharePoint solutions. As such, they need to have a strong understanding of how to migrate to newer versions of SharePoint. This question allows the interviewer to gauge the candidate's level of experience and knowledge in this area.
Example: “I have experience migrating to newer versions of SharePoint both on-premises and in the cloud. I have performed several in-place upgrades as well as database attach method migrations. I am familiar with the process and tools required for each type of migration, and I am confident in my ability to successfully migrate a SharePoint environment to a newer version.”
What high availability and disaster recovery strategies do you recommend for SharePoint?
When designing a SharePoint solution, it is important to consider both high availability and disaster recovery strategies. High availability refers to the ability of the system to remain operational and available for use even in the event of hardware or software failures. Disaster recovery refers to the ability of the system to be restored to a working state in the event of a catastrophic event.
There are a variety of high availability and disaster recovery strategies that can be used for SharePoint, and the most appropriate strategy will depend on the specific needs of the organization. However, some common strategies that SharePoint architects may recommend include using multiple servers in different locations, using redundant hardware, and implementing regular backups.
It is important for organizations to have high availability and disaster recovery strategies in place to minimize downtime and ensure that critical data is not lost in the event of an outage. By asking this question, the interviewer is gauging the candidate's knowledge and experience in designing SharePoint solutions that are resilient to outages and disasters.
Example: “There are many high availability and disaster recovery strategies that can be used for SharePoint, but some of the most common and effective ones include using multiple servers in a load-balanced configuration, using redundant storage arrays, and using backup and replication technologies.”
What tips do you have for optimizing SharePoint search?
The interviewer is testing the candidate's knowledge of SharePoint search optimization. This is important because optimizing SharePoint search can improve the overall performance of the SharePoint platform.
Example: “There are a few things that can be done to optimize SharePoint search:
1. Use the right keywords
When creating content, be sure to use relevant keywords that accurately describe the topic. This will help users find your content more easily when they search for those keywords.
2. Keep your content organized
Creating a well-organized information architecture will help users find the content they're looking for more easily. Be sure to use descriptive titles and labels, and organize your content into logical folders and subfolders.
3. Make use of metadata
Metadata is key for optimizing SharePoint search. By tagging your content with relevant metadata, you can make it even easier for users to find what they're looking for.
4. Use managed properties
Managed properties allow you to control how your content is indexed and searched. By properly configuring managed properties, you can ensure that only the most relevant results are returned for a given search query.
5. Take advantage of search scopes
Search scopes can be used to narrow down the results of a search query to a specific subset of content. This is especially useful when you have a large amount of content in your SharePoint environment.”
How do you work with the various stakeholders when designing a SharePoint solution?
An interviewer would ask "How do you work with the various stakeholders when designing a SharePoint solution?" to a/an Sharepoint Architect to gain an understanding of how they collaborate with others when designing SharePoint solutions. It is important to understand how the SharePoint Architect works with others because it can impact the success of the overall project.
Example: “The first step is to understand the business need and objectives. Once the business need is understood, the next step is to work with the various stakeholders to identify their requirements. Once the requirements are gathered, the next step is to design a SharePoint solution that meets the business need and objectives. The final step is to test and deploy the SharePoint solution.”
How do you ensure that your SharePoint solutions are scalable and extensible?
SharePoint solutions need to be scalable so that they can accommodate a large number of users and a large amount of data. They also need to be extensible so that they can be easily customized and integrated with other applications.
Example: “There are a number of ways to ensure that your SharePoint solutions are scalable and extensible. One way is to use the built-in features of SharePoint such as web parts, workflows, and event receivers. Another way is to use third-party products that extend the functionality of SharePoint. Finally, you can develop custom code that is specifically designed to be scalable and extensible.”
What governance models have you used for SharePoint deployments?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to a Sharepoint Architect. Firstly, it is important to gauge the level of experience that the architect has with deploying Sharepoint. Secondly, it is important to understand the types of governance models that the architect is familiar with and how they would be used in a Sharepoint deployment. Finally, this question can help to identify any potential areas of improvement for the architect in terms of their knowledge of Sharepoint deployments.
Example: “There are three common governance models for SharePoint deployments:
1. The centralized model - in this model, a central team is responsible for the overall governance of the SharePoint environment. This team defines and enforces policies and procedures for how SharePoint should be used within the organization.
2. The distributed model - in this model, responsibility for governance is distributed among different teams or individuals. Each team or individual is responsible for governing their own area of the SharePoint environment.
3. The hybrid model - in this model, a central team is responsible for overall governance, but some responsibility is also distributed to different teams or individuals. This allows for more flexibility and customization of the governance model to fit the needs of the organization.”
What experience do you have with social features in SharePoint?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the Sharepoint Architect's understanding of social features in SharePoint, and how they can be used to improve collaboration and communication within an organization. This is important because social features are a key part of SharePoint, and can be used to improve productivity and efficiency within an organization.
Example: “I have experience working with social features in SharePoint. I have used the social features to create a social intranet for my organization. I have also used the social features to create a social networking site for my organization. I have also used the social features to create a social media site for my organization.”
How do you use the various collaboration features in SharePoint?
SharePoint Architect is responsible for designing and maintaining the SharePoint environment. This includes configuring and managing SharePoint sites, setting up user permissions, and creating workflows. As part of their job, SharePoint Architects need to be able to use the various collaboration features in SharePoint. By asking this question, the interviewer is trying to determine if the candidate has the necessary skills to do their job.
Example: “SharePoint provides a variety of collaboration features that can be used to facilitate communication and collaboration within an organization. These features include:
-Document Libraries: SharePoint document libraries provide a central location for storing and managing documents. Users can check out documents, track versions, and receive notifications when documents are modified.
-Discussions: SharePoint discussion boards can be used to facilitate online conversations. Users can post messages, reply to messages, and receive notifications when new messages are posted.
-Blogs: SharePoint blogs provide a way for users to share information and ideas. Blog posts can be syndicated, commented on, and rated.
-Wikis: SharePoint wikis provide a collaborative platform for creating and sharing knowledge. Wikis allow users to add, edit, and delete content.”
What business intelligence features have you used in SharePoint solutions?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the Sharepoint Architect's experience with using business intelligence features in Sharepoint solutions. This is important because business intelligence is a key feature of Sharepoint that allows users to make better decisions by providing them with access to data and analytics. By understanding the Sharepoint Architect's experience with using business intelligence features, the interviewer can better understand the Sharepoint Architect's ability to design and implement solutions that utilize these features.
Example: “The business intelligence features in SharePoint that I have used include the following:
1. The Excel Services feature to allow users to view and interact with Excel workbooks that are stored in SharePoint.
2. The Business Data Catalog (BDC) feature to expose data from external data sources to SharePoint users.
3. The SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) feature to create and deploy reports to SharePoint.
4. The PerformancePoint Services feature to create and deploy dashboards and scorecards to SharePoint.”