Real Architects, Real Mistakes - 380+ patterns to learn from

February 10, 2026
Reading Time: 3 min
TLDR; We analysed thousands of hours of 1:1 CTA Coaching sessions and compiled the ultimate list of mistakes even the most experienced architects make, so you can avoid them.
"Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.”  

― John Dewey (Philosopher and Psychologist)

Trial and error. Without a doubt the best mode of learning. But as an architect, given the broad scope and impact of our work, there is little to no room for mistakes.

But what if YOU could learn from the mistakes of others?

So we recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thousands of hours of coaching sessions to identify the mistake patterns that repeat across architects - from first-timers to experienced architects - real architects, real mistakes.

And I'm sharing all of them with you - 380+ mistakes across 7 domains (from System Architecture to Delivery) and skills like business acumen, systems thinking and assumptions.

So you can learn to avoid them in your day-to-day work or for your preparation for the CTA Review Board.

And the best part?

We'll do live Q&A sessions, where we will answer all your questions related to the mistakes.

How it works?
  1. Study: You get an email for each domain and the meta-skills breaking down the core issue and underlying patterns.
  2. Ask: Got questions, share them with us.
  3. Learn: Join live QAs where our coaches and CTAs answer your questions, share insights and antidotes on how to avoid these mistakes.
  4. Excel: Integrate the learnings and become a better architect.

What's covered?
  • System Architecture (Mix of systems, reporting, mobile, licenses, document management, org strategy)
  • Security (declarative, programmatic, identity, platform security)
  • Data Architecture (data model design, LDV, MDM, migration, archiving)
  • Solution Architecture (declarative vs programmatic, build vs. buy, automation, 3rd party apps, UX, scalability)
  • Integration (components, patterns, strategy, security)
  • Development Life Cycle (governance, risks, tooling, testing, environments)
  • Meta-skills (business acumen, future considerations, end-to-end thinking, assumptions, justifications)
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