I’ve always been obsessed with the details. Whether it’s coding, cycling or carpentry, the detail is where my mind wanders first.

I see this as a sort of superpower, as the detail is complex, and has many moving parts. Making sense of the overwhelming noise the detail creates is where even the brave fear to tread.

But over time I have come to gain another perspective. Painting the big picture is the purest form of technological art.

Adding complexity through detail requires complex thought, but simplifying the big-picture design down to its purest essentials is where the depth of thought and experience gives you the real edge. The more complex the design, the simpler the high-level view needs to be. We simply cannot manage complexity from the ground level.

We are so quick to think of how to solve a problem, that we forget to ask whether we should be solving it at all. Stepping back, and letting the idea bounce about a bit first, is an approach that I encourage these days, I have learnt that we all have a unique perspective, and there’s real value and power in harnessing it,

But enough philosophy, let’s dive into the detail (forgive the pun)

In today’s ever-changing technology landscape, IT architecture is a critical component of any organization’s success. It is the process of designing, implementing, and managing the technology infrastructure of an organization. One of the most critical aspects of IT architecture is the need for a high-level view when making architectural decisions.

A high-level view is a conceptual overview of the architecture that includes the main components, their functions, and how they interact with each other. A high-level view is essential for making IT architecture decisions because it enables architects to visualize and plan the system as a whole. With a high-level view, architects can identify the dependencies between different components and ensure that they work together seamlessly.

One of the main advantages of a high-level view is that it allows architects to identify the business requirements and objectives that need to be achieved. The high-level view should take into account the business goals and objectives, such as scalability, availability, and security. By considering these objectives, architects can design an IT architecture that is aligned with the business requirements, ensuring that the system meets the needs of the organization.

Another advantage of a high-level view is that it enables architects to plan for future growth and expansion. IT architecture is designed to be flexible and scalable, and a high-level view ensures that the system can handle future demands. For example, if the organization needs to add new applications or services, the high-level view can help architects design the system in a way that accommodates future changes.

A high-level view is also essential for managing complexity. IT architecture can be complex, with many different components and services. A high-level view enables architects to break down the system into manageable components, which can be designed and tested independently. This approach reduces the risk of failure and ensures that the system can be easily maintained and updated.

In summary, a high-level view is critical when making IT architecture decisions. It enables architects to understand the system as a whole, identify business objectives, plan for future growth and expansion, and manage complexity. Without a high-level view, architects risk making decisions that do not meet the needs of the organization, are difficult to maintain and are not scalable. Therefore, it is essential to invest time and effort in creating a high-level view when making IT architecture decisions.