You're facing non-tech project sponsors. How do you simplify intricate software architecture for them?
When you're tasked with explaining the complexities of software architecture to non-technical project sponsors, the challenge can seem daunting. These stakeholders are crucial for project success, yet they may not grasp the intricacies of application development. Your goal is to bridge the gap between complex technical concepts and their business-focused understanding. It's about finding the right balance between detail and simplicity to ensure they can make informed decisions without getting overwhelmed by the technicalities.
One effective strategy is to use analogies that relate software architecture to everyday experiences or familiar objects. For example, you could compare a multi-tiered software system to a multi-story building, where each floor represents a different layer of the architecture, such as the user interface, business logic, and data storage. Just as an architect designs a building to ensure stability, accessibility, and functionality, you design software with similar considerations in mind. This approach helps non-tech individuals visualize complex structures in a more relatable way.
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Steffen Jäckel
Digitaler Enthusiast und begeistert über die Technologien von morgen! Let’s grow together and create value!
Die Verwendung von Analogien, wie das Vergleichen einer komplexen Anwendungsarchitektur mit einem mehrstöckigen Gebäude, ist eine hervorragende Methode, um das Verständnis rund um dieses Thema greifbar zu machen. Ähnlich wie bei einem Bauplan, der verschiedene Ebenen wie Keller (Datenhaltung / Archiv), Erdgeschoss (Datenzugriff), Obergeschoss (Geschäftslogik) und Außenfassade (Benutzerschicht) berücksichtigt, beinhaltet Architektur unterschiedliche Schichten, die allesamt essentiell für die Gesamtfunktionalität des Systems sind. Ein guter Architekt versteht es nicht nur, diese Strukturen zu entwerfen, sondern auch anderen ihre Funktion und Bedeutung klar und verständlich zu machen.
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Zeeshan Adil
Full Stack Developer/Tech Lead @Ministry of Interior Qatar || Ex UHG || Certified Azure Developer Associate || Spring Boot || Micro-Services || ReactJS || Angular || Docker || Kubernetes || Technical Writer @Medium
Restaurant Kitchen Analogy: Front of House (Presentation Layer): Like the dining area where customers interact, representing the user interface (UI) of the software. Kitchen (Business Logic Layer): Where chefs prepare food based on orders, representing the software's business logic that processes user inputs. Pantry (Data Layer): Stores ingredients needed by the kitchen, representing the database where all data is stored. Ordering System (API Layer): Waitstaff takes orders from customers to the kitchen, acting as an intermediary for communication between the UI and business logic. Cleaning and Maintenance (Infrastructure Layer): Ensures smooth operation, representing the underlying infrastructure that supports the application.
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Suresh Dodda
Lead Application Developer || Judge || Book Reviewer || SMIEEE || Top 1% ADPList mentor - Engineering
Yes not all stake holders understand technology buzz words . We can always map all requirements into simple terms. As simple as Lego building
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Alejandro Ferreira
Software Architect at Softtek
Finding an analog situation that explains the complexity in simple terms; is why one is a professional, right? To reduce complexity into simple and explainable things, even better, try to identify a similar situation in the listener's expertise.
To avoid confusion, it is essential to simplify technical jargon. Instead of using terms like "database normalization" or "object-relational mapping," explain that you organize data efficiently and ensure it communicates well with the application. Think of it as translating a foreign language into a shared vernacular. By doing so, you're not only making the information more accessible but also fostering an environment where project sponsors feel more comfortable engaging in discussions about the project.
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Zeeshan Adil
Full Stack Developer/Tech Lead @Ministry of Interior Qatar || Ex UHG || Certified Azure Developer Associate || Spring Boot || Micro-Services || ReactJS || Angular || Docker || Kubernetes || Technical Writer @Medium
By breaking down complex terms into easy-to-understand explanations, you can ensure non-technical stakeholders grasp the concepts without getting lost in technical details.
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Suresh Dodda
Lead Application Developer || Judge || Book Reviewer || SMIEEE || Top 1% ADPList mentor - Engineering
Making stake holders understand terms it self should not be glossy of words . It could be as simple as drawing a picture with pencil
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Alejandro Ferreira
Software Architect at Softtek
Utilize the same methodology as if you were in the engineering team, but simplify the wording and support explanations graphically (flow diagrams, BPMN, ...), focus on behavior, domain, or tests, but always talk simply, reducing your tech vocabulary to the minimum, linking to analogous example case(s) and close relating to the business strategy.
Keep the conversation centered on the business goals and how the software architecture supports them. For example, if scalability is a key objective, explain how choosing a microservices architecture allows for parts of the system to be updated or expanded without disrupting the whole. This keeps the discussion relevant to their interests and demonstrates how technical decisions align with business outcomes. It's important that they see the architecture as a means to an end, not just a technical endeavor.
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Steffen Jäckel
Digitaler Enthusiast und begeistert über die Technologien von morgen! Let’s grow together and create value!
Gute Softwarearchitektur muss immer die Geschäftsziele unterstützen, insbesondere wenn es darum geht die Bedürfnisse der Kunden zu erfüllen. Wichtig ist, dass alle Ebenen der Architektur, von der Datenhaltung im "Keller" bis zur Benutzeroberfläche, gut zusammenarbeiten. Eine hochperformante Datenverarbeitung bringt wenig, wenn die Anwendung für den Benutzer nur schwer bis kaum bedienbar ist.
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Suresh Dodda
Lead Application Developer || Judge || Book Reviewer || SMIEEE || Top 1% ADPList mentor - Engineering
Focus should always be goal oriented and should be precise and measurable and achievable . Simple terms like making a curry with all required ingredients.
Visual aids can be incredibly powerful in conveying complex information. Use diagrams like flowcharts or block diagrams to depict how different parts of the system interact. A visual representation can often communicate what words cannot, providing a clear picture of how user requests flow through the system or how data is processed and stored. Visuals help demystify the technical aspects and allow for easier digestion of how the parts come together to form the whole.
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Suresh Dodda
Lead Application Developer || Judge || Book Reviewer || SMIEEE || Top 1% ADPList mentor - Engineering
Most of the time words have its own interpretation by others . So always go with pictures which has only one outcome . Pictures are always easy to understand
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Zeeshan Adil
Full Stack Developer/Tech Lead @Ministry of Interior Qatar || Ex UHG || Certified Azure Developer Associate || Spring Boot || Micro-Services || ReactJS || Angular || Docker || Kubernetes || Technical Writer @Medium
Visual aids simplify complex ideas into easy-to-digest formats, reducing confusion and enhancing comprehension. They engage viewers visually, helping them connect with the material and retain information better than through text alone.
Introduce complex concepts incrementally. Start with the foundational elements of the architecture and build upon them as understanding grows. Avoid overwhelming your audience with too much detail at once. Instead, provide them with the knowledge they need to understand the next level of complexity. This approach allows for a gradual increase in their comfort with technical aspects and ensures that they are not left behind as the conversation progresses.
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Steffen Jäckel
Digitaler Enthusiast und begeistert über die Technologien von morgen! Let’s grow together and create value!
Das schrittweise Einführen komplexer Konzepte beginnend mit einer High-Level-Übersicht ist ein gutes Vorgehen, um Verständnis über die Architektur zu vermitteln, dies ohne zu Überfordern. Dokumentationsmodelle wie arc42 ermöglichen es, verschiedene Detailebenen bei Bedarf zu erläutern und zu vermitteln. Dies bietet den Stakeholdern die Möglichkeit, auf einer allgemeinen Ebene zu beginnen und tiefer einzutauchen, sobald die Grundlagen verstanden sind. Ein solches Vorgehen ist besonders gut geeignet, um den Stakeholdern technische Inhalte leichter (auf inkrementeller Weise) zugänglich zu machen.
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Suresh Dodda
Lead Application Developer || Judge || Book Reviewer || SMIEEE || Top 1% ADPList mentor - Engineering
Going with big bang always risk in terms of budget and time . Incremental or agile is always helpful . Incremental helps to have low risk in terms of cost , effort and timelines
Establish a feedback loop where you encourage questions and clarify doubts. This ensures that misunderstandings are addressed promptly and that the sponsors feel heard and involved. It's also an opportunity for you to gauge their understanding and adjust your explanations accordingly. By actively engaging with their feedback, you create a collaborative environment where technical and business perspectives merge to the benefit of the project.
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Zeeshan Adil
Full Stack Developer/Tech Lead @Ministry of Interior Qatar || Ex UHG || Certified Azure Developer Associate || Spring Boot || Micro-Services || ReactJS || Angular || Docker || Kubernetes || Technical Writer @Medium
Set up regular meetings or sessions specifically dedicated to discussing the project's technical aspects and addressing any questions or concerns from sponsors. Maintain a centralized document or FAQ section where common questions and their answers are recorded and accessible to sponsors at all times.
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Steffen Jäckel
Digitaler Enthusiast und begeistert über die Technologien von morgen! Let’s grow together and create value!
Feedbackschleifen sind heutzutage wichtiger Bestandteil, um Missverständnisse frühzeitig zu klären und um langfristige Fehler (mit großer Auswirkung) zu vermeiden. Erfolgt die Modellierung der Architektur nach agilem Vorgehen wird Feedback am Ende jedes Sprints oder zumindest nach jedem "Release" (Architektur-Version 1.0, 2.0, usw.) eingeholt. Dieses Vorgehen verhindert Fehler und signalisiert Sponsoren die entsprechende Wertschätzung ihrer Beiträge. Durch das Einbeziehen von Rückmeldungen in unser weiteres Vorgehen fördern wir die kontinuierliche Verbesserung und stärken die Zusammenarbeit unter allen Beteiligten.
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Alejandro Ferreira
Software Architect at Softtek
I had many good experiences trying to explain as a movie or a book, so the stakeholder is always focused on the story-telling string and can collaborate with parallelisms and share their experiences. It was important to have imagination within boundaries, always being as close as possible to the real-case scenario.
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