For an architect it pays off to know something about lots of various topics. On the other hand, you should have deep knowledge on some few specific topics. This is the so-called T-shaped skill set. It makes easier to discuss with various specialists, if you can use common terminology and you undestand at least the basics of that specific field.
The one field, which I have been quite unfamiliar with despite of its importance in my work, is network engineering. Yes, I have been able to use and build FTP services, RESTful Web Services, web sites and order routing between LANs and so on. Its just that I have not ever spent time to fully learn the big picture, how it all fits together. I have just spent couple of days in formal training of this topic, and I have to say that it was awesome. It feels like I have once again been able to bridge quite large gap between islands of knowledge in my head. To make this mental bridge stick, of course I need to apply this new knowledge to practise, whick luckily is rather easy in my daily tasks.
It feels like I have once again been able to bridge quite large gap between islands of knowledge in my head.
Now that I have been in training and filled with new information, am I going to add fully qualified Network Engineer to my LinkedIn profile and am I ready to setup few VLANs and configure WebVPN service? No. Am I more comfortable to discuss with Network Engineers? Definitely yes I am.