I like software architects. While every member of the team may be capable of strategic thinking in general, not every member of the team actually has sufficien

I like software architects. While every member of the team may be capable of strategic thinking in general, not every member of the team actually has sufficient domain knowledge to chart everything out. Building some data link avionics software that needs to be DO-178B Level C compliant and operate within the parameters specified by the EuroControl Link 2000+ initiative? Not every hacker off the street will be able to come up to speed on the implications of all of that in short order. Someone with fifteen years experience in the same or similar technologies will be able to plan the system and guide the more novice programmers. But it likely depends on what software you're building. If you're building web applications that cull together lots of common-knowledge ideas, then having an experienced individual plan it out for you might not be as needful.