Note: This book has evolved into The Software Architect Elevator, which contains 5 new chapters and many edits. It's available from Amazon and the O'Reilly Learning Platform.

The Changing Role of IT

Many large enterprises are feeling pressure from the rapid digitalization of the world: digital disruptors attack unexpectedly with brand-new business models; the "FaceBook generation" has dramatically different user expectations; and a whole slew of new technologies has become available to everyone with a credit card. This is tough stuff for enterprises that have been, and still are, very successful, but are built around traditional technology and organizational structures. "Turning the tanker", as the need to transform is often described, has become a board room-level topic in many traditional enterprises. Not as easily done as said.

The Changing Role of Architects

Chief IT Architects and CTOs play a key role in such a digital transformation endeavor. They combine the technical, communication, and organizational skill to understand how a tech stack refresh can actually benefit the business, what "being agile" and "DevOps" really mean, and what technology infrastructure is needed to assure quality while moving faster. Their job is not an easy one, though: they must maneuver in an organization where IT is often still seen as a cost center, where operations means "run" as opposed to "change", and where middle-aged middle-management has become cozy neither understanding the business strategy nor the underlying technology. It's no surprise then that IT architects have become some of the most sought-after IT professionals around the globe.

What You Will Learn

This book supports IT architects with the skills necessary to become effective not just in systems architecture, but also in shaping and driving the necessary transformation of large-scale IT departments. In today’s world, technical and organizational transformation have become inseparable. Organized into 37 episodes, this book explains:

• The role and qualities of an architect in a large enterprise
• Architecture at enterprise scale
• Communicating to a variety of stakeholders
• Understanding organizational structures and systems
• Transforming traditional organizations

Most books on cloud computing want to tell you that you should become “digital” or ”agile”, or dwell on product details that are prone to be outdated by the time you read them. This book fills the giant gap in between. It’ll help you ask the right questions to define a strategy based on meaningful decisions. It’ll also help you unravel existing assumptions to realize the full potential of the new technology. And it demystifies modern technology without dumbing it down.

The book condenses my experience developing and implementing cloud strategies for large organizations into an easy-to-read but insightful format that covers IT strategy, architecture, financials, and organizational changes.

A Decision-based Approach to Cloud Strategy

You can’t copy-paste a strategy from a recipe book or from another organization. Diverse starting points, objectives, and constraints imply different choices and trade-offs. Also, a cloud strategy must include close alignment across business, organization, and technology. This book questions existing assumptions ("Why run software you didn't build?") and presents technology-neutral decision models ("8 ways to slice the hybrid cloud") ideally suited to defining and communicating a well-thought-out migration journey.

Available Formats

• PDF/Mobile Reader: You'll get all ebook formats and free updates right here, DRM free!
• Print: Prefer hard copy? Get paperback or hardcover on Amazon!
• Kindle: Register your device's mail address with Leanpub to have files delivered directly to your Kindle.

Contents

Based on the author's extensive experience taking large organizations to the cloud, 33 Chapters highlight options, decisions, and trade-offs - the core elements of any strategy. These mental models come to life through real-life anecdotes and examples:

• Understanding the Cloud - Cloud is not a mere technology upgrade.
• Organizing for the Cloud - To get the most out of the cloud, you’ll turn your organization sideways. 
• Moving to the Cloud - Many roads lead to Rome, but some go faster than others. Choose wisely.
• Architecting the Cloud - Multi, hybrid, portable, multi-tenant, and disposable? Stay clear of buzzwords and embrace rational decision models.
• Building for the Cloud - Cloud applications are more than containers and serverless. Also, IaC is a misnomer.
• Budgeting the Cloud - Cloud can significantly reduce your operational costs—if you leave existing assumptions behind.

This book will be your trusted advisor for your cloud journey. It applies the mindset of “The Software Architect Elevator” (my prior book) to cloud computing.

Reader Feedback

This book currently enjoys a 4.7 star rating on Goodreads. Thanks go to all early readers who made the book better by providing feedback during the writing process.

The Lure of Platforms

Platforms seem to be everywhere, whether it’s platform business models that fuel the most valuable companies and most unicorns, 100-billion Dollar cloud platforms, or in-house developer and analytics platforms. And that's no surprise: platforms appear to be able to rewrite the laws of physics, for example by boosting innovation thanks to harmonization.

Most organizations looking to harvest the power of platforms discover that building one, or even deploying one, is far from easy. Many in-house platforms are outdated by the time they’re launched, restrict rather than enable users, and face a certain demise when their use is mandated in a last-ditch effort to make the economics work.

Harvested from a decade of building successful in-house platforms and enabling enterprises to utilize cloud platforms, this book provides a fresh look at what makes platforms work, why they are different from other IT services, and how you can use them to boost developer productivity. Sticky metaphors (“are you building a fruit salad or fruit basket?”; “is your platform sinking or floating?”; “build abstractions not illusions!”) provide actionable design guidance without being lecturing or boring.

Contents

The book accompanies you on your  platform journey, supplementing architectural rigor with real-life examples::

• Part I: Understanding Platforms: because "platform" is an overloaded term, this part delineates the types and characteristics of platforms
• Part II: A Strategy for Platforms: building platforms requires significant investment and stamina. Learn how to articulate your platform strategy for both technology and organization.
• Part III: In-House Platforms: internal platforms are all the rage. Learn how to build one and how to avoid common pitfalls.
• Part IV: Designing Platforms: platforms hide a lot of complexity but that means building one isn't trivial. Learn how to make design trade-offs using fruit salads and submarines. ..
• Part V: Implementing Platforms: drilling deeper yet, this part discusses platform anatomy and architecture blueprints
• Part VI: Growing Platforms: mandating platform usage is sure to backfire. Instead, learn how to build communities and support platform adoption.
• Part VII: Organizing for Platforms: platform teams need to balance customer feedback and a clear vision.

This book is part of the "Architect Elevator" series, which provides essential tools for architects and IT leaders to drive major strategic initiatives in enterprises or late-stage start-ups. By showing the big picture and developing deep insight, the books forgo simple answers and buzzwords in favor of mental models that help readers make better decisions.

A note on pricing:

Leanpub is DRM-free and therefore doesn't foresee regional pricing. For some readers, $10 is a lot more than for others, so I set a low minimum price to reach the broadest audience possible. If you are well employed and believe this book will help you in your career, I thank you for paying the recommended price. If you are a student, not employed, or on a low wage, pay within your means.