You’re Already Locked Into an Architecture-Even If You Didn’t Choose It
Article summary
You’re Already Locked Into an Architecture-Even If You Didn’t Choose It Some of our most permanent architecture wasn’t designed-it just happened. We thought we were deferring major decisions. Taking time to evaluate. Gathering inputs. But in reality, we were choosing defaults. And those defaults hardened faster than we realized. The costliest architecture is the one that calcifies without consent. How We Made Decisions Without Noticing We standardized on tools without thinking in systems. Each team picked the best option for their need: the fastest queue, the cleanest ORM, the easiest cache. What we ended up with was a disconnected toolchain that no one could unify. We designed APIs based on immediate use cases. Instead of modeling around domains, we shaped endpoints to match frontend screens. That locked us into workflows that couldn’t evolve.
Read Full Article on MediumPractical takeaway
The main idea behind You’re Already Locked Into an Architecture-Even If You Didn’t Choose It is to help teams move from broad theory to clear, repeatable decision making. When teams apply this thinking, they reduce ambiguity and focus on improvements that deliver measurable momentum.
Example scenario
Imagine a team facing competing priorities. By applying the ideas in You’re Already Locked Into an Architecture-Even If You Didn’t Choose It, they can map dependencies, identify risks and choose the next move that produces progress without destabilizing their system.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to redesign everything instead of taking small steps.
- Ignoring real constraints like incentives, ownership or legacy systems.
- Creating documents that do not lead to any change in code or decisions.
How to apply this in real work
Start by identifying where You’re Already Locked Into an Architecture-Even If You Didn’t Choose It already shows up in your architecture or delivery flow. Then pick one area where clarity would reduce friction. Apply the idea, measure its effect and share the learning.
Signs you are doing it correctly
- Teams make decisions faster and with fewer disagreements.
- Architectural conversations become clearer and less abstract.
- Changes land safely with fewer surprises or rework cycles.