Frankly Speaking: Real Architects

Computerworld - Want to be an architect?

I dont mean an IT architect, though thats surely an appealing career target. Last week, The Open Group announced a new level in its IT architect certification program: Distinguished Certified IT Architect. It requires proving you have executive-level IT vision, governance expertise, and communication and leadership skills. Thats a VP-level job, typically reporting to the CIO.

Nice work if you can get it.

In IT, we love titles and metaphors that come from the construction world. Of course, many of our software engineers dont know the first thing about engineering, and the quality of IT infrastructure that we casually call plumbing would make a union plumber cringe.

And architects? In IT, we think that means people who design systems.

When it comes to putting up buildings, yes, designing is part of the job. But a real architect  the professional whos licensed by a state to use that title  does a lot more than that.

His work begins when a client wants to build something. The architects first task: getting hired for the job. That means selling the client on what the architect can do, and often pitching ideas for the design of the building.

Once hes hired, the real-world architect next discusses budgets, schedules and what the building will be used for. Those three interact, and a big part of the architects job at this stage is listening to the client  and helping the client understand what things cost, how long construction takes and whats practical.

Then the first plans are drawn up. And the client asks for changes. And the architect explains how the changes will affect the budget and schedule. Changes are made. And more changes. And still more changes. Budgets are revised. Schedules are rejiggered. Plans are redrawn.

(Scope creep? It happens, but not often. More likely, ambitious dreams get scaled back, fancy fixtures are dumped in favor of plain ones, and the budget gets tighter, not looser.)

Next, the plans are sent to an engineering firm, which converts floor plans into structural designs and plans for wiring, pipes and ducts. Its all checked to make sure it meets functional requirements and building codes.

Then bidding starts. Shepherding that is part of the architects job, too. His cost estimates will collide with the bids of the contractors who will actually do the work. If the bids bust the budget, the client may need to make more changes. That means new plans, engineering changes and new bids.