What should the Architect recommend to ensure managers can access new custom fields without cluttering page layouts?

The recommendation to grant Managers access to the fields using Field-Level Security while not adding them to a page layout is correct because it allows for precise control over which users can view or interact with specific fields without cluttering the user interface. Field-Level Security is a powerful feature that enables administrators to define visibility for individual fields on an object. By utilizing this feature, Managers can have access to the new custom fields as needed for their role without their presence on the page layout creating unnecessary clutter.

This approach keeps the page layouts cleaner and more user-friendly, ensuring that users only see the fields relevant to their typical tasks. Additionally, employing Field-Level Security means that while Managers can access the data when necessary, non-Managers or other users remain unaffected, maintaining data security and relevance within the broader organization.

The other options might offer ways to manage access but either do not address the clutter issue sufficiently or misalign with best practices. For instance, collapsing sections in page layouts can still lead to confusion or lead to missing important data. Using Role-Based Sharing rules is more focused on record access rather than field-level access, and while custom reports could provide field access, they may not be as direct or efficient for the immediate needs of Managers.