A collection of resources and links relating to sociotechnical architecture for software systems.
Licenced under CC BY-SA 4.0
Overview
Sociotechnical System – from https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Sociotechnical-system-STS-4_fig2_306242078
Sociotechnical architecture patterns are there to guide us into designing sociotechnical systems that channel the flow of work through our systems toward optimal business outcomes. Accordingly, we must diligently co-design the relationships in our social and technical architectures.
— Nick Tune, An Introduction to Sociotechnical Architecture Patterns
The foundation of Sociotechnical Architecture is to have a co-design approach to architecture, where we don’t just look at the technical systems architecture of the product, but also to the organization system (teams) building and owning it. Why? Because they have a lot of influence on each other and neglecting is not allowing for a proper design and developments.
— Eduardo da Silva, Introduction to Sociotechnical Architecture: Why & What is it
People
{Format: Name – 10 or fewer words describing their focus – Twitter – website}
Alphabetically by first name:
- Diana Larsen – Author: Agile Retrospectives, Agile Fluency model – @DianaOfPortland – agilefluency.org
- Eduardo da Silva – Sociotechnical Systems Architect – @emgsilva – esilva.net
- Ersin Er – architecting for scale, systems and modeling, tech leadership – @ersiner
- Evelyn van Kelle – Social scientist, strategic software delivery consultant, fan of heuristics and Socio-technical super fan – @evelynvankelle – https://evelynvankelle.com/
- Jabe Bloom – Gonzo Philosophy & Design for Industry & the Academy – @cyetain – jabe.co
- Jessica Kerr – Sociotechnical Systems Architect, Symmathecist – @jessitron – jessitron.com
- João Rosa – Independent consultant helping organisations bridging strategy and technology – joaorosa.io – @joaorosa@mastodon.social – João Rosa – @joaoasrosa
- Manuel Pais – Co-author of Team Topologies – @manupaisable – manuelpais.net
- Matthew Skelton – Co-author of Team Topologies – @matthewpskelton – matthewskelton.net
- Michael Plöd – Fellow at INNOQ, author of “Hands-on Domain-driven Design by example – @bitboss – leanpub.com/ddd-by-example
- Marco Consolaro – Software crafter, socio-technical coach, co-author of Agile Technical Practices Distilled – @consolondon – www.Alcor.Academy
- Nick Tune – DDD, sociotechnical design, Team Topologies – @ntcoding – ntcoding.co.uk
- Ora Egozi – Software engineer for 15 years, DDD lover – @EgoziOra
- Ruth Malan – architecting for agility, design, visual thinking, Conway’s Law – @ruthmalan – ruthmalan.com
- Sal Freudenberg – researcher into psychology of programming and distributed teams – @SalFreudenberg – salfreudenberg.wordpress.com
- Susanne Kaiser – Wardley Maps, DDD, Team Topologies – @suksr – susannekaiser.net
- Trond Hjorteland – Aspiring sociotechnical systems designer at Scienta.no – @trondhjort – trond.hjorteland.com
Books
{Format: title linked to suitable website – authors – publisher – year}
- Team Topologies: organizing business and technology teams for fast flow – Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais – IT Revolution press – 2019
- The Social Engagement of Social Science, a Tavistock Anthology, Volume 2: The Socio-Technical Perspective – by Eric Trist (Editor), Hugh Murray (Editor) 1990
Other resources
Alphabetically by title:
- A layman’s introduction to socio-technical systems – by Paul de Raaij
- An anthology of the socio-technical systems design (STSD) paradigm : from autonomous work groups to democratic dialogue and integral organizational renewal – 1991 paper by F.M van Eijnatten
- Calvin Pava’s Legacy: Sociotechnical Systems Design for the “Digital Coal Mines” – 2018 paper by Austrom & Ordowich
- Democratisation of Work – Trond Hjorteland
- How cognitive bias and ranking can foster an ineffective architecture and design – presentation by Evelyn & Kenny
- Evolving Tech-enabled Orgs Using Sociotechnical Architecture – Eduardo da Silva
- Introduction to Sociotechnical Architecture: Why & What is it – Eduardo da Silva
- Introduction to Sociotechnical Architecture: Traits and Strategies – Eduardo da Silva
- Nick Tune’s Strategic Technology Blog – Nick Tune
- Pava’s Extension of Socio-Technical Theory to Advanced Information Technologies – 1993 paper by Eric trist
- Principles of Sociotechnical Design Revisted – 1987 paper by Albert Cherns (1976 version)
- Redesigning Sociotechnical Systems Design: Concepts and Methods for the 1990s – 1996 paper by Calvin Pava
- Ruth Malan’s website – a treasure trove of insights into sociotechnical architecture from Ruth Malan
- Sociotechnical Architecture & Systems resources page – Eduardo da Silva
- Sociotechnical Architecture as Enabler of Product Thinking – Eduardo da Silva
- Socio-technical architecture with Ora Egozi-Barzilai and Evelyn van Kelle – Virtual Domain-Driven Design with Ora Egozi-Barzilai and Evelyn van Kelle
- Sociotechnical system – Wikipedia
- Sociotechnical Systems Design for the “Digital Coal Mines” – Trond Hjorteland
- The evolution of socio-technical systems – 1981 review paper by Eric trist
- The story of socio-technical design: reflections on its successes, failures and potential – 2006 paper by Enid Mumford
- Technical Leadership Masterclass preview material – Technical Leadership Masterclass Preview Material By Ruth and Dana, a great collection of knowledge.
- Whole Work: Sociotechnicity & DevOps | Jabe Bloom
- Why should I care about sociotechnical systems? | João Rosa
Acknowledgement and thanks
- Thanks to Eduardo da Silva and Ersin Er for starting (on Twitter) a list of people in the sociotechnical architecture space
