Identity Interface I should know better

97 Things Every Architect should know

As spoken by Richard Monson-Haefel at the Java User Group Meeting put on by TekSystems.

We covered ten general themes in the short amount of time we had.

• The user interface is critical
  • The user interface is what the user sees, it is where the rubber meets the road. It should empower the user to do his/her job.
  • For the end-user the interface is the system
• Nothing Lasts
  • Cobol, Smalltalk, Waterfall, nothing in software lasts. Chances are if you think it will last you just need to wait longer.
• Data is forever
  • Relational databases have been around a long time. Go with what works.
  • Its all about the data
• Flexibility breeds complexity
  • Something that is flexible is almost always complicated, but if something is designed to be simple it can be flexible.
• Manage your expectations
  • Know that you can't have everything, and prepare for it
  • Architectural Tradeoffs
• Know thy business
  • The business is key to making great decisions in architecture. You have a responsibility to know all of aspects of the business side and technical side. Similar to a CIO but you get paid a lot less.
  • Understanding the business domain
• Maintain the vision
  • Diligence and the mundane
• Software architects should also be coders
  • Take some time every week to sit down with the coders. You will figure out what their pain points are and it will help you make better architectural decisions.
  • Share your knowledge and experience
• There is no substitute for experience
  • Creating software is a trade. It is learned over time, and best learned by working with great people. It is similar to being a plumber or an electrician. You go to class for a little bit, and then you work as an apprentice. Architecture is no different.

The list in its entirety can be found at

97 things every software architect should know the book