How to be useful as a software architect

Ever worked with a useful software architect? Yeah me neither. But I sure have tried to be one. Software architects have a weird role: Think about the code tomorrow. Today's code is what it is, how do we make it good tomorrow? Without slowing down, losing business, or falling off a cliff. The worst architects write lots of docs nobody reads, make proclamations of The One True Way, and fall out of touch. Many effective architects put on the Software Janitor hat and burn out in 2 years. Continue reading →