SE Radio 653: Asanka Abeysinghe on Cell-Based Architecture

Iterative Approach

The iterative approach is crucial in implementing cell-based architectures, as it allows for flexibility and adaptation to changing business needs. Asanka Abeysinghe emphasizes the importance of short development cycles, recommending two to three-week sprints to ensure alignment with business goals and to quickly assess value generation 1. He notes that a static architecture can lead to misalignment with business objectives over time, advocating for an iterative process that evolves with the organization's needs 2.

Architecture is not static; it is also iterative. You can have an iterative approach, but you should have an end goal or ideal architecture identified.

--- Asanka Abeysinghe

This approach not only enhances technical alignment but also ensures that the architecture remains relevant and valuable to the enterprise.

   

Team Dynamics

Team dynamics play a pivotal role in the success of cell-based architecture, with ownership and team structure significantly impacting effectiveness. Asanka Abeysinghe highlights the challenges of multiple teams owning a single cell, which can lead to issues with release cycles and dependencies 3. He suggests that a single team should own a cell to maintain autonomy and innovation within that domain 4.

A single cell cannot be owned by multiple teams, but a team can have multiple cells.

--- Asanka Abeysinghe

This structure allows for quicker releases and better management of the cell's components, ensuring that the architecture remains efficient and manageable.