I am sorry, Faldage, but your reply missed the point of my question. If "real" architects don't need a one word verbal phrase to describe their function why do IT "architects"? One could accurately decribe their job by saying "they design system architecture", rather than "they architect systems" Not one of the "architect" apologists has yet explained why those who design system architecture need a verb of their own. I do not dispute the existence of the word, I simply have not heard a justfication for its existence. Must there be a single word for everything?