Forwarded by a coworker: an examination written up in Design Pattern
style of the pattern that occurs most often in the actual development
process: The Big Ball of
Mud. This includes such morsels of wisdom as

engineers will differ in their levels of skill and commitment to
architecture. Sadly, architecture has been undervalued for so long
that many engineers regard life with a BIG BALL OF MUD as
normal. Indeed some engineers are particularly skilled at learning to
navigate these quagmires, and guiding others through them. Over time,
this symbiosis between architecture and skills can change the
character of the organization itself, as swamp guides become more
valuable than architects.