JavaZone 2011 - Real Architecture: Engineering? or Pompous Bullshit?

What should software architecture be? How is it related to major critical software qualities and performance, to costs and constraints? How do we decide exactly what to propose, and how do we estimate and prove it is justified. How can an organization qualify their own architects, and know the difference between the frauds and the experts? Would ‘real’ architects recognize what software architects know and do? We believe that most activity, going under the name architecture, is NOT – ‘fail’. Current ‘Software achitecture’ is no more real ‘architecture’ than ‘hackers’ are ‘software engineers’. If we are just informally throwing out nice ideas, let us call ourselves ‘Software Brainstormers’. But if we are dealing with large scale, serious, and critical systems, then we need to stop using cabin-building methods and start using skyscraper designing methods – we need a serious architecture and engineering approach.
Kai Thomas Gilb

Kai Thomas Gilb

Independent Consultant, Author, Teacher www.gilb.com
Tom Gilb

Tom Gilb

Independent Consultant, Author, Teacher since 1960 Author of Competitive Engineering (2005) www.gilb.com