Architecture before implementation: make the decisions that guide delivery
Make workflows, data, identity, and integration decisions explicit before they become expensive assumptions.
Architecture begins with the outcome
A feature request rarely explains the whole workflow. Identify the users, information, systems, constraints, and evidence needed to accept the result. The architecture should serve those needs.
Make platform and integration choices together
Evaluate a platform against the workload, licensing, ownership, and operating model. For integrations, define data ownership, interface contracts, access, error handling, and support responsibilities.
Record the tradeoffs
An architecture decision record captures what was chosen, why it fits, and the constraints behind it. Keep the record short enough to be useful to developers, administrators, and future maintainers.
Turn the design into delivery work
A useful design leads to a sequenced roadmap, testable increments, and acceptance criteria. Review it as requirements develop so the implementation team has a living guide.