Software Architecture - Why it Matters

I have worked with a few people over the years whom I would describe as the "just get it done and soon" type. These guys (these few have all been men) eschew putting much thought into the software they build, or thinking about kaizen or continuous improvement. Working with them is frustrating because they tend to create systems that are better torn down than modified. In other words, thanks to their myopia and/or hubris (to the sales manager: "sure, we can do that in two weeks!"), the software they build has massive design debt and huge costs to maintain. (I am not going to get into the other extreme right now -- the guys who suffer from analysis paralysis -- but that, too, can be a big yet much different problem...)

The well known benefits of good design are written about throughout the software development world. But the one benefit that may be most important is this: good software architecture is motivational.

Working for a company that supports thoughtful software design ignites pride. Having people at all levels of a company that understand what good architecture is makes this possible. For me personally, it is a rush knowing that everyone from developers on my team to the CEO understands that this philosophy contributes to:

• A positive perception of our product
• Motivation among the team, and
• Increased profitability.
  

Motivation and internal pride glue together the customer satisfaction and financial sides of the business. Good software architecture is necessary to have a successful software business. Customer satisfaction and long term financial health are keys to "success," in my opinion. That's not all that defines success, but for me those two things are required.

I have seen the architecture weenies that get so bogged down in design issues that they make slow and pained progress. However, that is usually when they are in an organization that is unbalanced and indulges them because it lacks good business people. It is more often, in my experience, that the siren song of "just get it done now, it's good enough" can influence people in almost any organization, and is therefore more dangerous.