Smaller Web development companies and Start-ups have a difficult time separating job specifications and actual work. Their lack of understanding of the software development process usually leads to recruiting the wrong person or giving internal promotions to the wrong persons.  These people, many of whom have never worked in or for a very large organization typically have no idea of which roles their personnel are competent to handle. They always seem to think that anyone given or taking the title "senior programmer" means they can do everything with and within a particular technology or software. Even worse they confuse the architects role with that of senior programmer.  So what qualities and skills does an architect have and programmers or developers need to have to become competent architects? And why is it so confusing to know which role is needed?

Most start-ups and companies that build websites for their clients have no idea about what they are doing.  Typically they do not listen to advice from those that actually do the work, developers. Substitute words to fit the situation you see most often. For example: Mrs. Winchester = Start-ups, web development companies ... you pick.