I wanted one clear answer to a simple question: how do you think like a software architect? I read two books, The Software Architect Elevator and Fundamentals of Software Architecture. Then I sat with our trainer, Serkan Karagülle, asked a lot of questions, and reviewed my notes with him. From that work, we wrote a full article for Tecnovy.
This post is the short version for dev.to. First, a quick answer. Then where that answer shows up in those two books. After that, ten simple strategies you can use at work today.
So, how do you think like a software architect?
It’s not about memorizing patterns or frameworks. Thinking like an architect means seeing the whole picture. You link business goals to technical choices, weigh trade-offs, and keep systems ready for change. You aim less for a “perfect” solution and more for the right move in the current context. In short, an architect doesn’t only design software. They design direction.
Where does this answer come from?
Two books shaped this view more than anything else. Every architect I spoke with pointed to them.
The first is The Software Architect Elevator by Gregor Hohpe. He shows how strong architects move between two worlds, the “engine room” where teams build systems, and the “penthouse” where leaders set business goals.
The second is Fundamentals of Software Architecture by Mark Richards and Neal Ford. They explain the daily work, making trade-offs, balancing priorities, and communicating in plain language.
These books gave me the base for this mindset. They tie ideas to real projects and make clear that architecture is about learning and communication as much as code.
If you are interested in more books about software architecture, you can also have a look at “Top 5 Must-Read Books for Software Architects”
Top 10 strategies to think like a software architect
Here are ten practical ways to build the mindset we saw in our work and in those two books. Pick two, try them this week, then add more.
1- See both business and technology
Switch views during the day. Start with the problem the business wants to solve. Then check your design and ask how it supports revenue, risk, cost, or speed.
2- Plan for change, not only stability
Design seams where change will happen. Use interfaces, events, or feature flags. Reduce the blast radius when a team ships a change.
3- Surface hidden assumptions
List assumptions on a whiteboard. Ask why, what if, and how often. Turn fragile guesses into testable statements.
4- Think in trade-offs
Create a simple decision matrix. Write the options, pros, cons, and risks. Pick the best fit for the context, not the most popular tool.
5- Tie choices to business drivers
Link every decision to a driver like time to market, compliance, or unit cost. If a choice does not serve a driver, drop it.
6- Communicate in simple language
Explain designs with one picture and three bullets. Run short design reviews. Make sure both engineers and managers can repeat the idea back.
7- Balance breadth and depth
Stay hands-on with one or two areas. Keep broad awareness of the rest. Use spikes and small prototypes to compare tools on real sample data.
8- Document decisions on one page
Use ADRs. Capture the decision, the options you dropped, the reasons, and the date. Share them in the repo where work happens.
9- Avoid extremes in your role
Be present in code reviews and standups. Set direction, remove blockers, and give teams space to own the details.
10- Keep learning and build your network
Architecture grows with your skills and your circle. Keep a simple learning plan, review once a month (or once a quarter, it is up to you), and share notes with peers.
For a clear structure, iSAQB gives a proven path.
You can start with CPSA-Foundation level to build shared language, learn quality attributes, and practice decision skills for daily work.
Then you can go deeper with advanced modules based on goals and customer needs. Let the learning plan and peer feedback guide choices. Pick one focus area, apply lessons on a real project, then review results in the next monthly check-in.
- CLOUDINFRA for cloud workloads and operations at scale.
- GREEN for sustainable and energy-aware design.
- SWARC4AI for secure and AI-ready systems.
Other modules fit well too, for example domain focus, integration, or quality improvement.
PS: These 10 tips are not theories, they come from real discussions between developers and architects.
Thinking like a software architect isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying curious, asking better questions, and making choices that fit both the code and the business behind it. The best architects keep learning, stay close to their teams, and treat architecture as something that grows, not something finished.
Top comments (1)
I tried to make this post as hands-on as possible.
If you’re already in an iSAQB path or preparing for CPSA-F, which of these 10 strategies do you find most useful day-to-day? I’d love to hear what fits your real work.