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.