Thinking Like an Architect by Gregor Hohpe

Architecture is about making trade-offs and understanding that most decisions exist on a spectrum rather than being binary choices

Architects add value by making others smarter - they connect different organizational levels, share trade-offs and decisions, and help expand the solution space rather than just providing answers

Models and sketches are powerful tools for architects to tackle complexity, but they must be chosen based on the specific questions being answered rather than trying to find one universal “best” model

Architecture becomes more valuable in environments with high uncertainty and volatility since it helps manage complexity and enables better decision-making

The concept of “selling options” is key to architecture - providing the flexibility to make decisions later when there is more information, though this comes with complexity costs

Good architects can translate technical concepts into business terms that executives understand, often through metaphors and models that connect to business strategy

Local optimization rarely leads to global optimization - architects need to look at systems holistically across different levels and dimensions

Architecture and agility are complementary rather than opposing forces - both thrive in uncertain environments with high rates of change

Successful architects span multiple levels of abstraction and can connect technical decisions to business outcomes

The “architect elevator” concept emphasizes maintaining consistency across organizational layers rather than telling different stories to different audiences