System Architecture
System Architecture is the most important aspect of any software project. Architecture is much bigger than implementation, languages, specific patterns or techniques, or even choice of specific technologies. Is the database you have chosen not quite up to the task after all? Well, as long as your architecture is right, you should be able to switch. You need to support mobile devices in addition to Windows and Web versions of your app? The right architecture will enable you to do so quickly! Architecture is longer lived than just about anything else in software. And architectural mistakes are among the most costly to make and one of the main reasons for software projects to fail.
We can help you with your architecture. We have a lot of experience with various types of system architectures, and can help you choose the correct one for your scenario. We make heavy investments in trying new things out years early, so we can then advise you based on extensive real-world experience. But not just that: As the publishers of CODE Magazine, we have access to an extensive pool of experts that advocate various architectural choices for certain scenarios. We have tons of readers who send us feedback and questions concerning the architecture they have chosen. Our involvement with events and conferences gives us access to speakers and attendees alike. Our training business (CODE Training) provides us similar information. Not to mention the many customers we touch through CODE Consulting. All in all, this provides a treasure-trove of experience of things that do and don't work, and we are happy to pass it on.
Whatever you do in your software project, whatever technologies and platforms you choose, no matter what vendors or staff you go with: The first order of business has to be to get the architecture right. Failure to do so is extraordinarily costly! We can't tell you which mobile device platform will be the most important 5 years from now, or which database technology is going to be the best, but we can tell you how to architect your system to have the greatest chance to adapt most easily and flexibly (or whatever your primary goal might be).
Starting an Architecture Project
Architecture is generally not a project in itself. It is the starting point for a whole project or system. Many architecture sessions start with a short meeting or a Vision & Scope Workshop to determine overall goals of the project, the size of the effort, and best approach. This usually also includes an evaluation of resources as that plays an important role in not just creating the right architecture, but creating it in a way that allows for productive development and a desirable rate of progress throughout the project. We then often move on towards creating key pieces of the architecture, which often includes a Proof of Concept or Prototype phase. We generally also create documentation that enabled all project members to function to the best of their ability. This often includes the creation of "developer guides" or "style guides". In many cases, we also perform training and mentoring sessions to make sure everyone on the project is up to speed.
Project Lifecycle and Development Approach
Architecture sessions are generally relatively small. They are not overly large in terms of time frame, nor are they generally very large in number of people involved. Architecture is not labor intensive, it is knowledge intensive! The phase of the project during which big architectural decisions are made usually consists of a number of meetings, the creation of documentation, diagrams, and even prototypes or similar small development tasks. Usually this happens in a series of meetings with specific goals being defined for the next meetings. Note that architecture is not something that is just done up-front and them never revisited, but architecture is an ongoing process. However, the most critical architectural decisions are usually made early in the development phase, and this is where we can help you the most!
Purchase Options
We usually charge for architecture either as part of a bigger project (using a time & materials, hourly block, or service agreement approach). It is also possible to agree upon specific deliverables ahead of time and perform initial architectural task as a fixed-price project.
Purchasing Our Services
We offer our services in a variety of ways to meet every possible need. Options range from plain time and materials setups, to hourly blocks and montly service contracts, and sometimes even fixed price setups (especially for mobile "apps"). Contact us for more information and for a Schedule of Fees.
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