In recent times I have met many technical resources with the titles such as Software Architect, System Architect, Lead Architect and/or Enterprise Architect. Some of the architects that I met had no more than 3 years of IT experience. I began to ask the question ? what is a Software Architect? What sort of skills should they have? The first thought that I had was that a Software Architect was synonymous with software delivery WISDOM. Software delivery WISDOM is the key to my definition of an architect. It is the sum total of an architect. Thus in order to earn the right to be an architect one has to acquire wisdom. Delivery is important since these wise people can balance and trade off issues between delivery of solutions and technical perfection. They understand the place of IT within the broader context of solutions. They understand that IT does not exist for the sake of IT but rather as an enabler to solving real world problems. How does one develop this skill? The question has to be asked of a person that does not have this skill ? Is he still an architect? I THINK NOT. WISDOM has to be a prerequisite to have the title of architect. In addition to WISDOM, there are a few core essential skills that are essential to call oneself a Software Architect. The next logical question is ? how does one acquire WISDOM. One acquires this by working on and delivering a number and variety of large solutions in multiple domains and in different capacities. The minimum time period that I would attach to this is 7 years of experience. This experience must come from working in multiple domains on various sized systems. Also important, is experience in working with a range of different technologies. Responsibility for successful delivery is a key component. More importantly, developing insight into the factors that contribute to the failure of a project is essential. Architects must have experience in other areas of the software lifecycle in addition to development i.e. deployment, operational areas, maintenance and decommissioning.....!