IBM's Booch: The developer's developer

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IBM Rational Software general manager Danny Sabbah said earlier this year that, in recent times, there has been a lack of architectural governance in many software projects, as distributed systems have had to be brought together haphazardly. How will we get around this problem and work more effectively in the future?
Booch: Two things I've said about architecture in the past: first, every system has an architecture--most are accidental, some are intentional; second, the hyperproductive projects I've encountered all tend to proceed by the incremental and iterative release of an executable architecture. In short, architecture is central to enduring software. One of the things I'm doing with my work on building a handbook of software architecture is to codify the best practices and patterns of architecture.

How does IBM's Extreme Blue program work to address the IT skills gap?
Booch: The European Extreme Blue Expo features real-world issues that are given to teams of university students from across Europe who work in collaboration with IBM over the summer to fuse some of the brightest minds in academia. I've been engaged with some Extreme programs, but only as a mentor or participant.

Keep in mind, though, that the issue of IT skills is a complex, global, interdisciplinary one. IBM's university relations, its work on standards, its work on processes and its efforts to grow technical talent are all parts of the solution.

Adrian Bridgwater of ZDNet UK reported from London.

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Again with IBM?

Its too early for April Fools. Its almost christmas not April Fools!

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This guy should be a politician

Having worked for IBM for a number of years, Booch will do fine inside "Big Blue." He has an apparent well developed, no pun intended, ability to answer a direct question without saying much of substance.