This is much more basic than what I thought you meant. What you're outlining are critical thinking skills. And I agree, lacking them makes a programmer far less valuable.
But there's a whole other level of fluency around the theory of software development, and it comes from experience with different architectural patterns, and being able to see into the different futures of each architectural pathway,and being able to converse with other people who understand software at this level.
Although, calling it a level really undersells it. Multiply the potential capacity for this talent by every dimension of software building, and you start to see how people having even a little of this skill, but being able to work with others who have a bit of it in a related dimension can form a team that is more than the sum of its parts.
Yes, the ability to have critical thinking skills is the key differentiator between the two types of developers mentioned.
I think that is what a lot of these discussions seem to be miss: the issue is not really the hard tech skills/knowledge. It is more about the softer critical thinking abilities or personalities that allow someone to become skilled at something or solve a problem easier/better.
I agree, I was quantifying with some examples off the top of my head, but I do mean 'this skill, but for everything'. Architecture is certainly a big part of it.
But there's a whole other level of fluency around the theory of software development, and it comes from experience with different architectural patterns, and being able to see into the different futures of each architectural pathway,and being able to converse with other people who understand software at this level.
Although, calling it a level really undersells it. Multiply the potential capacity for this talent by every dimension of software building, and you start to see how people having even a little of this skill, but being able to work with others who have a bit of it in a related dimension can form a team that is more than the sum of its parts.