When working on a cloud architecture, there are three key pillars to focus on: Tools, Technology, and Skills.
Throughout my experience, I’ve seen team members struggle with solution design. Interestingly, the problem was rarely related to tools. You can be flexible with your tool choices—even PowerPoint or a simple drawing board can be sufficient. However, the biggest challenges usually arise from lack of technological understanding and poor communication. A diagram can illustrate anything on paper, but if it doesn’t reflect reality, it’s useless. Miscommunication and a lack of clarity on dependencies, expectations, and connections often lead to design failures and complications during implementation.
Tools
Choosing the right diagramming tool is important, but you don’t need to be an expert in any particular one—though expertise certainly helps. The key is to pick a tool that allows you to create clear, readable, and shareable blueprints.
When selecting a tool, consider these factors:
- Organizational Standards: What tools are commonly used in your company or by partners and stakeholders? Standardization eases collaboration.
- Cost Considerations: Look at costs in two ways:
- If you’re purchasing a license yourself, ensure the investment aligns with your needs.
- Check if your organization covers licensing for your team.
- Ease of Use: A tool that is intuitive and easy to learn speeds up the design process.
For more insights into diagramming tools, refer to my previous article (Diagramming Tools for Cloud Architects).
Technology
To design cloud architecture effectively, you need a solid understanding of the technology stack. You don’t have to know everything, but you should have deep expertise in one or more domains and general knowledge across adjacent areas.
A useful way to think about an architect’s knowledge is the T- or Pi-shaped model:
- T-Shaped: Deep expertise in one area with broad knowledge in related fields.
- Pi-Shaped: Strong expertise in multiple areas, with a general understanding of others.
Being an expert in your domain enables you to:
- Dive deep into topics.
- Design efficient solutions.
- Perform Proof of Concepts (PoCs).
- Identify dependencies early.
At the same time, having a broad understanding of other areas allows you to create high-level designs, test assumptions, and engage specialists to refine your solution.
Communication
Good communication skills are essential for an architect. You interact daily with various stakeholders, from highly technical engineers to business leaders. Adapting your communication style ensures your message is understood by different audiences.
Why is communication crucial for design?
- To design an effective solution, you need a clear understanding of requirements, constraints, and expectations.
- Poor communication can lead to missing critical aspects in your design.
- Even a technically sound solution fails if it doesn’t meet business needs.
A well-architected system that isn’t usable by the business is just a cost generator, not an investment. Being able to communicate clearly and concisely ensures your designs align with business goals and technical realities.
Summary
Successful cloud architecture relies on the right tools, strong technical knowledge, and effective communication. Understanding the requirements, constraints, and expectations of your stakeholders ensures your designs bring value rather than unnecessary complexity. With the right approach, your architecture will be scalable, efficient, and cost-effective.
Further Reading & Resources
If you’re interested in learning more about cloud computing and common mistakes to avoid, check out my book:
„Mind the Gap: Most Common Cloud Mistakes”
🔗 Available on Gumroad
🔗 Available on Amazon
🌍 Visit the official book website
