The Transformation Architect

Connecting penthouse and engine room

Modern architects align organization and technology, reduce friction, and chart transformation journeys. In addition to working with UML and architecture styles, such architects ride the Architect Elevator from the penthouse, where the business strategy is set, to the engine room, where the enabling technologies are implemented. They shun popular buzzwords in favor of a clear strategy defined by conscious decision making.

This site helps architects and IT leaders be successful in this new role based on my experience working for digital disruptors and leading transformations in traditional enterprise IT.

Architecting IT Transformation

Many large enterprises are feeling pressure from digital disruptors who serve users’ increased expectations with innovative business models and little legacy. Competing in such an environment remains a massive challenge for enterprises that rely on traditional technology and organizational structures to be successful.

Architects and CTOs play a critical role in transforming such organizations. They combine the technical, communication, and organizational skills to derive business value from a tech stack refresh. They see more dimensions and bust common disbelieves, for example showing that moving faster can actually increase quality.

BOOKS

These books prepare you for a more exciting role as IT architect or decision maker:

GREGOR’S LAW

My “law” now has its own page.

Excessive complexity is nature’s punishment for organizations that are unable to make decisions.

TALKS & CHATS

Find over 40 talks on my Modern Achitect YouTube playlist or dive deeper with a 10-part Architect Elevator Video Series on the O’Reilly Learning Platform.

My Podcasts with Neal Ford, Dave Farley, Tech Lead Journal or Postman’s Breaking Changes discuss specific topics like platform engineering.

For the ultimate experience, attend an Architect Elevator Workshop.

BLOG

Is AWS Lambda a Halo Product?

Posted: Jul 15, 2024

Shiny, advanced, a strong fan following, but lack of mainstream adoption—the trademarks of a halo product. Sounds like AWS Lambda?

Are Business Architects Always Grumpy?

Posted: Jul 04, 2024

Or: why do IT architects seem have more fun?

Old Books that Every Architect Should Read

Posted: Jun 22, 2024

If architecture is timeless, so should be the books about it. Here’s a book list with some classics.

Coupling and Control Flow in Distributed Systems

Posted: Jun 21, 2024

Dissecting a buzzword takes more than a single blog post. Here’s the start of a new blog series.

Popular article series:

Think like an Architect

Famous architects sketch, zoom out, and see shades of gray.

Present like an Architect

Make complex topics stick without sacrificing technical accuracy.

Agile and Architecture

Agile and architecture are friend, not foe.

An Architect's Path

Being an architect isn’t linear but there’s a useful path.

CONTACT

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