To restrict the ability to delete contacts so that only the owner can delete the record, what approach should an architect take?

The correct approach involves using a "before delete" trigger to check if the current user is not the owner of the contact record. This method effectively enforces the rule that only the owner of a contact can delete it, as the trigger can prevent the deletion action from being completed if the user does not meet the ownership criteria.

By implementing this trigger, the architect can create robust logic that evaluates the ownership of the record during the delete operation, allowing for precise control over data management. It enhances data governance and aligns with best practices by ensuring that important records are not deleted without appropriate authority.

The other options, while related to user permissions and record access, do not provide the same level of control specific to deletion based on record ownership. Adjusting user profiles would apply a blanket restriction to all users, effectively preventing anyone from deleting contacts regardless of ownership. Similarly, setting sharing settings to Public Read Only does not allow deletion at all, and creating a validation rule does not support operations during the delete process, as validation rules operate during record creation or updates, not deletions. Thus, the trigger points out the most effective way to enforce ownership-based deletion rules.