A Perfect Architecture, a Perfect Myth
So, you’re a software developer who has gained a lot of experience in product development over the years. However, you’re finding it challenging to make changes and repeat the same tasks repeatedly. You’ve decided to focus on creating a perfect architecture that can be applied to all your products. That’s great! Let’s dive into discussing the concept of this Perfect Architecture, the thought process behind it, and whether it’s achievable.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
To grasp the concept of a perfect architecture, it’s important to recognize that not every product can share the same architecture. This is because each product is tied to specific business goals, such as generating revenue and making an impact.
Ultimately, if a product doesn’t achieve these goals, it won’t last in the market. Therefore, before proceeding, we must agree that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all architecture. Each product is unique and requires careful evaluation to determine the appropriate architecture.
Modular Processes
If each product requires a different architecture, does that mean the processes should vary as well? Not necessarily. The processes can be modularized so they can be adapted and integrated into the architecture as needed.
For instance, if a company is developing multiple products, such as fitness or health applications, some processes or modules like Authentication might be repeated across all products. Instead of building the Authentication system separately for each product, it can be developed once and then seamlessly integrated into each product without requiring further modification.
Scoping & Scaling
It’s crucial to recognize that your architecture should align with the scope where tangible results are being achieved. If you’ve designed an architecture meant to support the next ten years and a million users while still working on an MVP, it either means you have a substantial budget or need a better strategy, as architecture should be scalable.
When developing an MVP (Minimum Viable Product), the priority should be on building a user base and generating revenue. What if your product analysis is off, and you end up spending a fortune upfront or on upgrades, only to face financial strain? Therefore, it’s essential to keep the architecture within a manageable scope and ensure it’s scalable enough for future growth.
Evolving Architecture
Having a modular process doesn’t imply that the architecture itself should be modular. An architecture should reflect the core building blocks of a product. As the product evolves, the architecture should evolve with it. Overcomplicating the architecture at the outset can lead to unnecessary issues and wasted time resolving problems that aren’t relevant.
A well-designed architecture can serve as a powerful roadmap for a product, especially when focused on an MVP, helping to build successful products efficiently. It’s important to carefully establish the architecture and commit to it. Any changes or adjustments can be deferred to future releases, avoiding the trap of endlessly revising the architecture and the product.
There’s much more to explore about architectures, but for now, I’ve focused on understanding the basics and considering some key points before diving into architectural design.
