Gregor Hohpe - The Software Architect Elevator

by Gregor Hohpe

Copyright 2020 Gregor Hohpe. All rights reserved.

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978-1-492-07754-1

[LSI]

My aspiration to become a software architect stemmed from my interest in the technical side of software design. I really enjoy discussions about how we can best use technology to solve a problem, and how to create codebases that are highly modular, well-structured, and easy to work with.

What nobody tells you though, is that these technical aspects are just one part of the architecture puzzle. Its not just about technology and designing software. Its about designing software and solving problems within a specific organizational context, and being aware of whats happening around you, so that you can successfully navigate and influence that context where necessary. Its crucial, therefore, that architects realize they need to communicate and influence at different levels, with different audiences, both inside and outside of their immediate team environment.

As an industry, however, we do a relatively poor job teaching software developers how to move into software architecture roles, let alone providing help for those who are currently in such a role. This is especially true for the nontechnical aspects. A quick browse of your favorite bookstore will reveal a plethora of books about software architecture, architectural styles, architectural patterns, DevOps, automation, enterprise architecture, Lean, Agile, and so on. Youll find far fewer books related to people and communication. And its even rarer to find a single book that covers all of these topics.

The Software Architect Elevator fills this gap by discussing an architects role from a broader set of perspectives than usual. It will teach you how to avoid the traditional, somewhat dysfunctional business versus IT mindset, how to see the bigger picture to map and influence the organizational landscape, how to make effective decisions, how to deal with vendors, and how to communicate across all levels of an organization. All of this is essential for those who want to be successful in their role as an architect.

References to additional reading complement the practical tips and techniques presented in the book. Many of the relatable stories will, unfortunately, sound far too familiar! Although Gregors stories will relate more to people working in larger organizations with a traditional IT function, many of them are equally applicable to the newer wave of digital companies. Ive been surprised to see some of these situations play out in such organizations, too!

In summary, this is a fabulous book for current and aspiring architects, going beyond what you will find in other books on the subject. Its a great way to fast-track the collection of tools in your architecture toolbox. I thoroughly recommend this book to aspiring software architects and CTOs alike. Whether youre looking to broaden your skills and get a feel for what architecture is all about, or youve been tasked with improving organizational productivity and performance, theres something here for everybody.

Simon Brown, author of Software Architecture for Developers