IT problems usually need to be
handled by the network engineer or Systems Engineer. These people are the craftsman of the IT
trade. However, the solutions no matter
how robust should be run through the Architect.
Every IT department should have at least one person who sees and
implements the big picture. This big
picture is knowing the overall business goals and the limits of technology, but
also the external governance and regulatory issues too.

The CIO sets the vision for the big picture. The Architect executes. In our business, while all the roles are valuable and important , the role of the Architect is critical to ensure that business goals and objectives are being met in a highly effective, efficient, and cost sensitive manner. These are the folks creating the next generation IT infrastructure. The CIO and the Purchasing person are just rubber stamping it