Conway’s Law, a concept from the 1960s, posits that a company’s software reflects its organisational structure. Today, this concept is being challenged by the rise of platforms that allow for more flexible and efficient software development. Platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure are enabling companies to break free from the constraints of Conway’s Law.
These platforms provide a wide array of services, from computing and storage to machine learning and analytics. They allow companies to build software that is decoupled from their organisational structure, leading to more efficient and innovative solutions. For instance, a company can use AWS for computing, GCP for machine learning, and Azure for analytics, combining the best of each platform.
The rise of platforms has also led to the creation of ‘platform teams’ within companies. These teams are responsible for managing the relationship with platform providers and ensuring the efficient use of platform services. This new organisational structure is helping companies to overcome the limitations of Conway’s Law and drive innovation in software development.
Despite the benefits, using multiple platforms also presents challenges. Companies must manage the complexity of integrating services from different platforms and ensure data security across platforms. However, the potential benefits of flexibility, efficiency, and innovation make this a worthwhile endeavour.
Go to source article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danwoods/2017/08/15/how-platforms-are-neutralizing-conways-law/