Software Architects, are they utilized correctly?
In todays software world we have individuals who are given the role of software architects. But are they really “architects” or modern days answer to the lack of individuals capable of being a chief programmer?
In the past people with the higher than average skill in leadership, development and design, where considered good enough to look after all the technical aspects of development. They would also be held responsible for every line of code and hence every project. In the modern chief programmer model a project manager would handle all the non technical aspects of running a project and team. And when I refer to chief programmer I refer to the moder chief programmer model.
Introducing the Software Architect who essentially needs the same skill set as a chief programmer. This change of name baffles me. Lets take a minute to think about this.
Okay, here it goes. I work with a highly intelligent person… hmm lets call him Loubser. He fits the bill of a chief programmer, he designs before he does and produces highly maintainable, robust and documented software. Lets take a sample of any Software Architect I have encountered. The use of the code-and-fix SDLC is the main choice here, where no thought or design ever goes into the solution, yet they are constantly supported because they get the job done, even sometimes in the most inefficient way possible. Obviously I am saying this on personal experience of my current position and welcome any comments from other sources.
Now don’t get me wrong I am not saying that I could do a better job than any of these Architects I have met, I would just like a little thought to go into solutions, instead of highly skilled Development Managers having to design the system and adding an extra load onto their plate.
So in conclusion, are we heading from a software crisis of unmanageable code and time and budget overruns into an era where we have unmanageable code and time and budget overruns? Yes this is not a spelling error but merely a thought about whether we believe we are progressing when in actual fact we are staying in the same spot!
Please comment and share your experiences, I would love to be see the light at the end of the tunnel or be able to shoot the SDLC with a silver bullet.
