Solution Architecture, no matter if software, cloud, or similar, is both about “Doing the Right Things, and Doing the Things Right”.

But it is also about looking the things now, and in the future.

And, nevertheless, it is about objectively looking at the good and the bad things.

Solution Architecture is most likely the most critical part of any production pipeline,
bonding the “what the business needs, and what the business gets”.

That being said, it will not be far from the truth to say that between Business and Tech, there is often a gap, as it is between Marketing and Sales, which if not handled, can be quite counterproductive,
meaning, a “Horse was promised, but a Camel was delivered”! – ..nothing wrong with the camel though

Solution Architecture decides if the outcome will be a “House of Cards”, or an impressive Skyscraper, capable of withstanding the worst of earthquakes and tsunamis, not to mention the falling meteorites, solar flares, and deadly cosmic rays and radiation.

I believe you get the point. Solution Architecture is indeed very important!

But, what actually is Solution Architecture?

Let’s first demystify what it is not.

It is not just a nice diagram, and It is not a code, and it is definitely not a 200-page report of hieroglyphs that only a few people on the planet can read.

Solution Architecture is:

  1. A process, which is always based on a set of principles and best practices.
  2. A snapshot or a blueprint of a vision or a future state based on deep insights and understanding of the current needs and where the business and the world are going.
  3. A communication framework, aligning or mapping the Business Needs and Requirements, to Technical Instructions, Plans, and Analysis.

Now, some Key Principles (..and there are more) driving a solid Solution Architecture are:

  • Simplicity – simple design is easier to understand, scale, and maintain
  • Separation of Concerns (SoC) – modular design or component-based
  • Scalability – handling growing volumes of data or interactions
  • Performance – reliable and fast under different circumstances, e.g. increased loads
  • Resiliency – difficult to break, based on fail-safes, extensive error-handling, and recovery protocols
  • Reversibility – or Amazon’s two-way door principle, meaning able to fast recover or rollback
  • Security – data and information protection, encryption, and access control based on the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)

All of this will lead to a solution that is more Reliable, Flexible, Compliant, and Cost-effective.

Key Benefits

Let’s consider the following two aspects or benefits of a good Solution Architecture.

For the sake of keeping this post an article and not a novel, only a few points are listed in each section.

Commercial Benefits

  • Customer Satisfaction:
    By ensuring systems are reliable, secure, and user-friendly, organizations can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. Satisfied customers are more likely to become repeat buyers and recommend your products or services to others. This is the true driver of growth and profitability.
  • Increased Revenue:
    By improving the user experience and ensuring high system performance, businesses can attract and retain more customers. A scalable and flexible architecture also allows companies to quickly adapt to market demands and explore new revenue streams.
  • Competitive Advantage:
    By enabling faster time-to-market for new features and products, a good solution architecture helps businesses stay ahead of competitors. It supports the adoption of new technologies and methodologies, such as cloud computing and microservices, which can be pivotal in gaining a competitive edge.

Other benefits: Improved Quality, Future-Proofing, Enhanced Decision Making, and more..

Organisational Benefits

  • Cost Reduction:
    Good solution architecture helps in identifying more cost-effective ways to implement solutions, optimising resource usage, and reducing both upfront and ongoing costs associated with maintenance and scaling.
  • Strategic Alignment:
    It ensures that the technological solutions align closely with the business goals and strategies, facilitating better decision-making and prioritisation of IT projects based on business needs.
  • Enhanced Security:
    By integrating security considerations into the architecture from the outset, organisations can ensure that their systems are robust against threats, protecting sensitive data and maintaining trust.

Other benefits: Streamlined Integration, Risk Management, Scalability, etc.

But, what if not done right?

On the opposite side of the spectrum, bad architecture can cost a lot!

The overall solution cost and quality is directly related to the actual architecture, to be more specific:

The total Cost of Poor Software Quality (CPSQ) in the US is $2.08 trillion.

CISQ Consortium for Information & Software Quality

This cost transcends across financial cost, employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, and ultimately the Brand or the Company Image!
Let me drop another quote here:

“If you think good architecture is expensive, try bad architecture.”

Brian Foote and Joseph Yoder

Few costly outcomes of bad architecture (..and yes, they’re a lot more):

  • Increased Costs:
    Without a cohesive and efficient architecture, projects often face overruns in both time and budget. Maintenance and scaling costs may skyrocket due to the need to address underlying architectural flaws that were not initially considered.
  • Reduced Performance:
    A solution that’s not architected with performance in mind can lead to slow response times, bottlenecks, and an overall poor user experience. This can result in lost customers and decreased satisfaction among existing ones.
  • Security Vulnerabilities:
    If security is not a foundational element of the architecture, the system may be exposed to risks and vulnerabilities, making it susceptible to attacks and breaches. This can have severe legal and financial repercussions, especially if sensitive data is compromised.
  • Compliance and Regulatory Issues:
    Failing to account for relevant legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements in the architecture can lead to violations that result in fines, legal action, and damage to the company’s reputation.
  • Reputational Damage:
    The collective impact of these issues can significantly harm an organisation’s reputation. Customers and partners may lose trust in the company’s ability to deliver quality products and services, leading to lost business opportunities and revenue.

Summary

Solution Architecture is the bridge between what a business needs and what it gets, crucial for doing the right things, and doing them right.
It’s about planning for now and the future, weighing the good and the bad.
Far more than just diagrams or code, it’s a strategic process rooted in principles like simplicity, scalability, and security, aiming to deliver solutions that are not just effective but also forward-looking.

The essence of good architecture lies in its ability to boost customer and employee satisfaction, spark revenue growth through superior user experiences, and carve out a competitive edge by speeding up product launches and embracing cutting-edge tech.

On the flip side, neglecting architecture can have costly consequences—escalating expenses, diminishing performance, and leaving data exposed to threats, not to mention the potential for damaging your brand’s reputation.
In short, solution architecture isn’t just technical, it’s a critical business strategy that impacts every corner of an organisation, shaping its path to success, ..or failure.

About Advension

Advension is a Salesforce Certified Consultant and an ISV Partner, that brings over 15 years of expertise in Solution Architecture and Development. We are supported by a team and a network of highly skilled and experienced professionals capable of managing projects of any size.

Contact us, and get a free assessment call!

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