The Architect's Job

In my company, we have Solution Architects and Technical Architects. Just about every software development methodology out there defines an architectural role in the software process. Industrially, the title Chief Software Architect or Chief Architect are in vogue. There are probably another dozen or so job titles involving the word. If you look at the supposed community definitions of Architecture at SEI, a thinking man will probably laugh till his coffee comes out his nose.

So since this is a pretty new blog, I'm looking to generate a little discussion (and traffic) on what you think an Architect's role is. Aside from attempting to sound like the smartest feller on the project, what do we do? Specifically, I want to know:

• What is the Architect's role in project management?
• What is the Architect's role in personnel management?
• Should an Architect be a trainer too?
• What is the significance of professional certifications?
• Is a degree important and, if so, what degree?
• How much time should an Architect be expected to spend off-the-job studying and researching?
• Should an Architect be an uber-geek, with knowledge of all the latest and greatest stuff?
• What role do patterns play in the Architect's day-to-day job?
• What does the Architect do in the sales phase?
• What does the Architect do in the requirements phase?
• What does the Architect do in the design phase?
• What does the Architect do in the development phase?
• What does the Architect do in the quality assurance phase?
• What does the Architect do in the deployment phase?
• What does the Architect do in the maintenance phase?

I ask only one thing of you, dear reader; do not use the words "it depends" because there is nothing you can say to me that would convince me that it depends. If you're so sure that it depends, then there are options and scenarios that you are implying but being too lazy to elucidate. Define your perspective of the options and define which are best given a scenario that you specify. Here in the real world, you have options as soon as you wake up till you fall asleep at night. Pick one. Go with it.

JJ