Speed and innovation through architecture

Paper in proceeding, 2012

The nature of software system development is changing. Rather than building systems according to specification, innovation processes and customer intimacy are at the heart of software development, requiring unprecedented levels of agility and speed. In addition, software is increasingly built in the context of a software ecosystem where other companies and independent developers add value as well. As these trends require small teams to work efficiently and rapidly in the context of large complex systems, the role of software architecture (and that of a software architect in particular) is more important in this new world, but there is significant evolution in its implementation. This keynote starts by characterizing the new approach to software engineering and the role of compositionality. It then explores the implications for software architecture and the role of the software architect. The talk will present examples from several industries to illustrate specific focus areas.