What is IT Architecture?

A primer

Image made by the author

Update August 2023: Now available, my book on IT Architecture:

The Practice of IT Architecture: Its spirit, value, and methods

After writing many blogs and articles about architecture, I realised I needed to explain precisely what architecture is. It was remiss of me as some may need to know, and others may be curious. I am describing it here.

Let's look at architecture's origins, value, definitions, disciplines, methods, artefacts, governance, and profession.

Origins

About 10,000 years ago, humans started settling along rivers and farming the land. They left behind caves, rocky outcrops and shelters made of branches and leaves and began constructing mud huts and stone dwellings and invented bricks. The population multiplied, and towns and cities developed that were laid out in some order, with sewerage, religious buildings and administrative offices. As human thought grew complex, pyramids, ziggurats, astronomical structures and elaborate temples were built.

In the early stage of civilisation, adult family members had to work out how to make a base for a…