To say that job titles shouldn't include the word 'architect' unless they are actually an architect?

[itssunnyyay]

Hi all, so my partner is an architect, It takes years to become an architect and you have to be registered on the RIBA (royal institute of British architects) to call yourself an architect.

I have noticed an increasing number of jobs using the job title 'architect' that has nothing to do with architecture.. for example, "solution Architect" which is 'responsible for evaluating an organisations business needs and determining how IT can support those needs leveraging software" so .. not an architect.

Other job titles are "software architect", "senior enterprise solution architect manufacturing", "web solutions architect", "HR solutions architect", "finance and accounting digital architect", "analytics implementation architect", "deputy food architect", "platform architect" ... the list goes on

Isn't Architect a protected title? IMO job titles should actually mean something, and all of the above mean absolutely nothing?

"Partners of professionals often receive indirect self-esteem from the job so can often be more precious about a profession than the practitioner." Spot on.

@Monkeybutt1

"These job titles in IT are pretty meaningless actually."

As someone who works in IT and my DH does too, we both know what the different architects in IT are and the important role they play.

Solutions Architect, Software Architect and Enterprise Architect are all very meaningful jobs. I think you underestimate what they do and how much we as a society rely on IT.

You're missing my point. I work in IT (30 years+) - over that time I have watched all sorts of wanky job titles come and go. My point isn't that what you do isn't important, it's just that the job titles become meaningless because they are so widely applied to so many different actual roles.

If you think you know exactly what Solutions Architect, Software Architect and Enterprise Architect job means and the exact tasks involved, then you haven't worked in many places, that's all.

@FabFitFifties

"Partners of professionals often receive indirect self-esteem from the job so can often be more precious about a profession than the practitioner." Spot on.

Well.. I am proud of my DP, but him being an architect doesn't increase my self esteem lol. I will never again say what my DP does for a living

Although I have said IABU, I do still think there is a valid point in saying that, if an architect doesn't pay their RIBA membership they can't use the title of Architect, but someone in IT or tech can 🤷🏼‍♀️

Architects, same goes for engineers OH would say if you can't hit it with a hammer or poke it with a screwdriver its not engineering. This is so ignorant. Some people are ever so slightly stuck in the analogue age.

@itssunnyyay
Protection of the title 'architect' is nothing to do with the RIBA - that would be a chartered architect
Protection is ARB registration fees
You have to be ARB registered RIBA is optional
If you are going to make a thing about it you probably need to get that important bit straight

[quote wonkylegs]@itssunnyyay
Protection of the title 'architect' is nothing to do with the RIBA - that would be a chartered architect
Protection is ARB registration fees
You have to be ARB registered RIBA is optional
If you are going to make a thing about it you probably need to get that important bit straight[/quote]
Okay, ARB is what I meant then

You r just made yourself look really very silly to anyone who has any knowledge of IT systems and structures. It's ridiculous to say they"mean nothing".

Systems architect etc are very widely used and well understood terms in the IT sector and OBVIOUSLY don't mean they are an architect in the same way as your precious husband's role.

I bet we have more Systems Architects than Building Architects in the UK these days. Probably equally well paid if not more so. Times change.

I’m a Thought Architect.
I’d quite like to be a Director of Possibilities.

@Silversprinkles

You r just made yourself look really very silly to anyone who has any knowledge of IT systems and structures. It's ridiculous to say they"mean nothing".

Systems architect etc are very widely used and well understood terms in the IT sector and OBVIOUSLY don't mean they are an architect in the same way as your precious husband's role.

Lol the only people who are being precious are the people who are talking about IT professionals as if they are God. All I have said is 'my DP is an architect' 'it takes a long time to become an architect' and apparently I'm being precious, bragging about my DPs job, and am a snobby social climber 🤣🤣 this board does make me laugh

@itssunnyyay think of architects having an overview of any particular man made system, they are responsible for making sure all the individual elements are integrated and work as a whole to fulfill the intended purpose. Designers and engineers are specialists

Obviously the use of the word architect is meant to mean designer, I can only think that they use architect because it sounds more fancy, but why don't interior designers call themselves interior architects then?

They do. There are even degrees in interior architecture

courses.uwe.ac.uk/K120/interior-architecture

[quote McT123]Obviously the use of the word architect is meant to mean designer, I can only think that they use architect because it sounds more fancy, but why don't interior designers call themselves interior architects then?

They do. There are even degrees in interior architecture

courses.uwe.ac.uk/K120/interior-architecture[/quote]
Yep I've already said that

This thread is ridiculous. Why give opinions about IT architecture when you are clearly so ignorant of it! The idea that people think it's a sexy job title. Few people on here would benefit from TOGAF.

@Franca123

This thread is ridiculous. Why give opinions about IT architecture when you are clearly so ignorant of it! The idea that people think it's a sexy job title. Few people on here would benefit from TOGAF.

My OP didn't specifically discuss the IT industry only thought did it

Architect does not make anyone feel sexy, in any context

You've made a bit of a mistake here op, that's all. Your partner's job title is not as special as you thought it should be, and architect has more meanings than you knew. We live and learn, no need to keep arguing now.

Also btw, the ARB did originally say that the use of the term architect in the IT industry is technically a breach of the act but they take a pragmatic view and accepts that the use of the word causes no concern when used in a context with is not related to design and construction of buildings

Who is saying IT positions are like God?
Bet are glad you started this op lol? It's well funny

@LubaLuca

Architect does not make anyone feel sexy, in any context

You've made a bit of a mistake here op, that's all. Your partner's job title is not as special as you thought it should be, and architect has more meanings than you knew. We live and learn, no need to keep arguing now.

Ffs it's not about being special

That's very good of them to be unconcerned about a word being used correctly. Well played, ARB.

There are very few protected titles that I think should be mandated. Unless there is a definite potential harm that could be caused by misusing a title, I would say its a little precious to demand they are all protected. The key ones IMO that should be protected are:

Judges/Lawyers
Police Officers/Detectives
Nurse/Midwife/Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapists/Social Worker
Psychologist/Psychotherapist
MP and ministers
Pilots
Opticians
Vets

Basically any job where there may be a risk to public safety and/or legal implications associated with the term. For example, if your qualification is needed in order to practice safely and competently then its likely needed.

Ironically the term "nurse" and "psychotherapist" are not actually protected. You can call yourself a "nurse" but not a "registered nurse" but most people won't tell the difference. You don't have to be accredited to be called a psycho-therapist either!

It is an issue when people pass themselves off as actual chartered architects without the full qualifications, OP. Which does happen.

But your OP is a little offensive @itssunnyyay. "Those job titles mean absolutely nothing". They are skilled roles and the job title describes what they are.
I have a job title that is protected. But the individual words within in can be used on many different ways and mean many different things depending on the order and context.

Your post just shows your ignorance really.

Basically any job where there may be a risk to public safety and/or legal implications associated with the term. For example, if your qualification is needed in order to practice safely and competently then its likely needed.

Well, this is why architect is protected. A qualified architect is properly insured and understands building safety, etc.