Also there are plenty of considerations that may escape the CIO’s knowledge:
- Frameworks available
- Technology Performance for a certain task
- etc
It is also the CIO’s job to help the team broaden their spectrum and “force” them to do research. Let’s say you are working with a Java architect – although I rather architects to be technology agnostic – if that person is reluctant to using other technologies, he will try to solve the problem with Java (you know, if the only tool you know is a hammer….).
Summing up, the CIO/CTO should define the global strategy considering technology and non-technology factors and foster internal research. Architects should come back with a variety of options and healthy debate should happen. The CIO will be ultimately responsible for the decision in front of the executive team and the board. This is a really important choice to be taken by just one person, and for some reason you have hired architects.