Tales from the Real World - Architecting the Transformation

Tales from the Real World - Architecting the Transformation

2021-09-10

Most organizations undergoing digital transformation are progressing through maturity stages — moving from localized, monolithic setups toward agile, cloud-native, data-driven platforms. But what is the architect’s role in guiding that journey, and how do you build a framework that is practical rather than theoretical?

In this session, Asanka Abesinghe returns to discuss his experience architecting enterprise transformations, covering:

  • Six design principles for digitally-driven organizations: decentralized, lean-agile, open standards, outside-in (customer-centric), cloud-native, and data-driven
  • The architecture value stream — how business architecture, information architecture, application architecture, and technology architecture each contribute to business outcomes
  • Maturity models as a GPS — assessing where you are, setting a destination, and re-routing when the journey deviates
  • The architect as elevator rider — connecting the business penthouse with the engineering engine room, requiring both broad strategic thinking and hands-on technical depth
  • BizArch — the case for a business architect role that bridges domain knowledge and technical execution, and why handoffs between business analysts and technical architects so often fail

Asanka also shares references to his open-source maturity model specification (released under Creative Commons) and his Architect to Architect blog series for those looking to go deeper.

Related Content

Migrating to the Cloud

Migrating to the Cloud

2021-09-08

Cloud migration is as much a people and process challenge as it is a technical one — a fact underscored by a 2020 Cloud Security Alliance study in which 90% of respondents reported a failed migration. In this episode, Chris is joined by Suzanne Tedrick, Azure Infrastructure Specialist at Microsoft and award-winning author of 'Women of Color in Tech', to explore how the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework provides a holistic, structured path to successful migrations. From governance and stakeholder alignment to multi-cloud strategy, this conversation covers the critical foundations every organisation needs before and during their cloud journey.

Lessons Learned from Cultivating Open Source Projects and Communities

Lessons Learned from Cultivating Open Source Projects and Communities

2021-07-23

Open source projects and communities are the backbone of modern software development, yet the human side of building and sustaining them is rarely discussed as openly as the technology itself. In this episode, Chris is joined by JJ Asghar, Developer Advocate at IBM, who shares hard-won lessons from over a decade cultivating open source communities — from a small Linux distribution to OpenStack, Kubernetes, Tekton, and Istio. This is not a tools talk; it is a candid conversation about the soft skills, scoping decisions, and leadership approaches that separate thriving projects from those that burn out.

CGN3 - Cloud Gaming Notes Episode 3 - Inventory and Economy

CGN3 - Cloud Gaming Notes Episode 3 - Inventory and Economy

2021-04-07

Gaming has evolved from isolated save files to persistent, cloud-powered experiences that follow players across every device they own. In this third episode of Cloud Gaming Notes, Chris and Lee Williams explore the cloud architecture behind in-game inventory and economy systems — using Sea of Thieves as a live example. Topics include persistent state management with Azure Cosmos DB, managed gaming backends with PlayFab, Live Ops patterns, and how cloud infrastructure enables monetisation and long-term player retention at scale.