I just finished falling down the rabbit hole of QR codes. I had no idea the power these things had. Honestly, I thought all they did was point to websites, but they can do so much more than open a restaurant menu on your phone. This article is about my journey of learning and discovering…
Knowing Where You Are Matters
I have worked on many software development projects where I was asked to do a technical review. During the review, I would find holes in their technical architecture. For example, the security model was not fully built out or the business continuity plan was not defined. When I would raise these issues the development team…
The Principle of ODI
Years back I worked with a top-notch Project Manager. He was more business-centric than technical but he led technical projects. We worked on a few large projects together, he as the Project Manager and me as the Solution Architect. One was a large consumer-facing custom application and the other was the implementation of the E-commerce…
Always is not a Mandate but an Aspiration
I have been using the same architectural principles for solution design for years, always is cheap and sometimes is expensive. I am amazed at some of the different reactions I get from IT professionals when they first hear me say it and I do say it a lot. For the most part, the response is…
Do Not Forget What Was
As Enterprise Architects our job is to focus on understanding the “As Is” and building transition plans to get to the “To Be”. But I always like to remind people don’t forget the “What Was”. We can learn from our past experiences if we do the due diligence to track our change in a managed…
The Power of Yes
How we position ourselves in conversations can have an impact on how we are able to move the conversation along. A few years back my company was designing a website for a local insurance company. The daughter of the owner, Samantha had joined the firm and was helping us get the site functional. My Graphic…
My Solution Design Process
Introduction We can benefit from a structured process when implementing change in the Enterprise. We need to define the work and what artifacts we need to ensure a successful transition. In keeping with my primary motto, always is cheap and sometimes is expensive, I have built a solution design model that can benefit any team…
Blockchain
Crypto currency has been a hot topic in the news again with the rise in prices for Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin. We have also seen Non-fungible tokens or NFTs get a lot of attention in the press. Both items utilize the same underlying technology called blockchain. So, what is a blockchain and what value does…
The Keys Go in the Key Bowl
When my kids were teenagers, we used to play a game at my house, I called “Where are my keys”. My kids never put their car keys in the same place when they came home which caused the panic search to find out where they were minutes before they needed to leave for school. My wife is…
My Core Solution Design Principles
Over the years I have accumulated a laundry list of catchphrases, sayings, and principles that have helped me explain to my team members what I am trying to convey. Of course like any good Software Architect, I have documented those items into a list I hope to publish in more detail on this site. Below…
