Software architecture is a critical aspect of software development that is often overlooked but can significantly impact a software project's success. Whether you are building a new software system from scratch or revamping an existing one, having the right software architecture in place can mean the difference between a project that is scalable, maintainable, and secure and one that is plagued by technical debt and constantly struggling to meet the needs of your business.

Every software system has an architecture: either engineered by a professional software expert with the software development team or grown organically while the software is developed. The latter option will often lead to an unmaintainable mess of undocumented spaghetti software that is both hard to extend and maintain.

A software architect is a technical expert who is responsible for designing the overall structure and organization of a software system. This means everything from low-level software modules to cloud services. But what does a software architect do? Do they just create some diagrams and disappear to the next project? Some software architects might operate like that, but obviously, that’s not a good approach and should be avoided at all costs.

The most effective software architects are hands-on, meaning they not only understand the principles and patterns of software architecture but are also actively involved in the implementation of the software system during the whole project. Often they bootstrap the project initial structure, oversee the general architectural direction, guide junior developers, and contribute new features to mention a few of their tasks. They will also make sure that your software stays up-to-date. When hands-on software architects are not actively participating in some projects, they are extremely valuable in your pre-sales pipeline due to their expertise.

Hands-on software architects bring a unique combination of technical expertise and practical experience to a project. They understand the trade-offs and challenges of implementing a software architecture and can make informed decisions that balance the needs of the business with the realities of software development. By being hands-on, they can ensure that the software architecture is sound in theory and feasible in practice.

While hands-on software architects are an essential component of any software project, there may be times when your project could benefit from the expertise of a hands-on software architecture consultant. Software architecture consultants are independent experts who bring a fresh perspective and objective expertise to a project. They can help you identify and avoid common architectural pitfalls, provide guidance on the latest software architecture trends and best practices, and help you make informed decisions about the future of your software system.

Working with a hands-on software architecture consultant can be especially valuable when your project is facing complex technical challenges or you want to use new technology, such as serverless computing or a programming language that you have never used. A hands-on software architecture consultant can provide the expertise and guidance you need to make the right decisions for your project and ensure its long-term success.

Hands-on software architects play critical roles in ensuring the success of a software project. By providing technical expertise, practical experience, and objective guidance, they can help you build scalable, maintainable, and secure software that can evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of your business.

Keeping this all in mind, hands-on software architects are in high demand. Hiring one directly might not be possible or feasible. We have some extremely talented hands-on software architects in our ranks. Check out our consulting services and contact us if you need help with high-quality software architecture design.