How to Get Ahead in Architecture
Cultural Awareness
The goal of architecture is to instil an architectural approach in each person involved in the technology of the enterprise. We could state the goal more simply: the purpose of architecture is to develop architects. This fundamental pattern directs our energies towards the culture of an organisation rather than towards its standard documents, procedures and products.
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Standards imposed on groups without respect for culture are not effective.
Often we encounter organisations in which any architectural thinking that might exist is embodied in a set of standardised processes, procedures and tools. Sometimes these standards are owned by a body separate from both development groups and business users, and accountable to neither. These groups are generally ignored: the products of such an organisation show little of the quality and consistency we associate with architecture. Clearly standards are not enough.
Therefore:
Encourage architectural thinking at every level of the development organisation. Architecture is the result of practice directed by vision: the extent to which that vision informs the culture of development is the extent to which architecture succeeds.
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Lightweight Process can help by making the process of architectural development visible. Appropriate Infrastructure ensures that all developers have contact with the fundamental embodiments of architectural thinking.
© 1998 David Harvey
Created 6 September 1998
Last updated 6 September 1998