Engage Advisors During, Not After, Deliberation

Engage Advisors During, Not After, Deliberation

Do not wait until a decision is fully formed to present it for advice, as this invites criticism rather than collaboration. Engage architects and stakeholders throughout the decision-making process to incorporate their knowledge and context early. This makes the...
Engage Advisors During, Not After, Deliberation

Autonomy Requires a System-Wide Perspective

Transitioning from implementation to decision-making requires shifting focus from isolated code to the broader system. Consider costs, cross-team impacts, and long-term consequences, not just the immediate technical appeal of a solution. This change in perspective is...
Engage Advisors During, Not After, Deliberation

Architects as Enablers, Not Gatekeepers

The architect's role transitions from being the primary decision-maker to a facilitator and mentor. Their goal is to enable teams to make better decisions by sharing knowledge and context, not to dictate the architecture. This requires unlearning old habits of...
Engage Advisors During, Not After, Deliberation

Guide Decisions, Do Not Dictate Solutions

Instead of providing direct answers, guide teams by asking probing questions and suggesting alternative perspectives. This fosters their decision-making skills and ownership without undermining their autonomy. The goal is to enable, not to command. Examples When a...