Collaborative Architecture with Co-designs

From high level Architecture to Solution Design by working collaboratively

Co-construct the design of the solutions / solution architecture in order to :

• Guarantee the quality of the deliverables
• Be more confident on the Solution we design → “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African proverb
• Their compliance with the expectations of the various technical stakeholders (Security, Ops, DB experts, …)

‌Who ?

Required‌

• Tech leads / team members from the teams concerned by the High Level Architecture
• At least 1 member of the Architecture team
• 1 facilitator

Optional

Regarding the topics other people can have a real added value :

• Other teams representatives concerned by the High Level Architecture
• Enterprise Architects
• Ops
• Security
• Domain experts
• Other technical experts

What ?

For each new big feature, bring together the team that will work on the topic as well as the technical experts in order to co-construct the future solution including for example :

• Definition of the Architecture Characteristics (Non Functional Requirements)
• Based on business needs
• Definition of the expected logs / monitoring solution
• Definition of the integrations
• Data models
• Taking into account infrastructure and security constraints
• …‌

How ?

Prepare the session :

• Define the subject (the need)
• Define the objective (the solution)
• Prepare something to “break” : It can be draft of diagrams on a white-board for example
• Identify who must / need to be there during the session

DOR :

A session is ready when it respects the Definition Of Ready (DOR).

In a DOR you could find : Business capabilities concerned, Draft of API contract, Collaboration diagram depending on the topic of the session

Outcomes

• ADR (Architecture Decision Record)
• Explaining which decisions have been taken and why
• Diagrams drawn and agreed during the session
• Serve as an input for the Solution Design
• Update of the Tech-radar (add something in Assess for example)‌

Pros

• Tackle complex problems in small sessions / small amount of time
• You have all the brilliant mind in the same space to solve the problems
• Shorten feedback loops : shorten the time for decision makings
• Increase organizational Knowledge Sharing