Do the Software Architects get the Needed Support for the job They Perform?

In this paper, we report on two year case study research in a software development organization which includes more than 20 architects of different social profile, knowledge and time zone locations. During that time, we built up understanding on how to support software architects in knowledge codification (converting human expertise to organized, categorized, indexed, easily accessible knowledge in a knowledge base form available for the organizational members). By following an action research cycle, we first diagnosed the architecting process of this organization and proposed solutions for identified problems. The revelations gained over the past two years have resulted in creation of a theoretical instruction framework of what software architects do and what support they need.