Why a Software Architect should be “hands on”

Why a Software Architect should be “hands on”(linkedin.com)

3 points by sahrizv 9 years ago | 3 comments

dimasf 9 years ago |

I completely agree with this article. In fact, I believe everyone who is in tech department, no matter the seniority (manager, director, even VP sometimes) should still be able to code. Really depends on the size of the company, obviously in a big company VP wouldn't be able to code just because he or she wouldn't have much time to do it with other day to day tasks.

I am Director of Engineering in a small company and I still code a lot. Our CTO codes as well.

I've seen some engineering managers who not only do not have CS degree but never coded and were hired just to manage engineers which I will never understand.

sahrizv 9 years ago | |

Agree with you. Ability to code and moreover an ability to contribute to the company codebase is something that should be present even at senior levels for a tech focused company.

At the same time, IMHO, somebody in a techno-managerial role with responsibilities of one or more tech teams may find it hard to devote more than 20% of their time to coding.

sahrizv 9 years ago |

Submitter here. I have been witnessing the recent rising expectations of being able code irrespective of seniority, especially in younger companies. I have been curious to know HN's take on this.

Perhaps this article can provoke some discussion.