Generated based on an actual picture of Cluedo that looks nothing like the old dutch version that we have.
Architecture is Like a Game of Cluedo
Martijn Veldkamp
“Strategic Technology Leader | Customer’s Virtual CTO | Salesforce Expert | Helping Businesses Drive Digital Transformation”
September 18, 2024
Really? Designing an architecture is as fun as a game of Cluedo? I know, they seem worlds apart. One is a classic murder mystery board game, and the other is a structured approach to solving complex technical problems.
However, when you squint your eyes a bit and look a bit cross-eyed, the process of uncovering the right solution architecture can feel surprisingly similar to solving the mystery in Cluedo.
And be honest, have you ever come across a solution design that looked like a crime scene?
The Mystery
In Cluedo, the goal is to determine who committed the crime, with what weapon, and in which room. In solution architecture, your “mystery” is figuring out the right components, technologies, and design patterns that best fit the problem you’re trying to solve. Just like in Cluedo, there’s probably a combination that will form the hard of to the solution.
The Suspects
In Cluedo, you have suspects like Colonel Mustard and Miss Scarlett. In solution architecture, your suspects are the different components or applications you could use. Salesforce application, datawarehouses, micro services, frameworks, and cloud providers. Each has its own characteristics and the pros, and cons determine their fit.
The Weapons
Weapons in Cluedo are the tools used to commit the crime, like the candlestick or the revolver. In solution architecture, the “weapons” are the tools and technologies you might use to build the solution—whether it’s a specific programming language, an API, or a security protocol. Choosing the right “weapon” is crucial to the success of your architecture.
The Rooms
The rooms in Cluedo represent different locations where the crime might have occurred, such as the kitchen or the library. In the world of solution architecture, these are the environments where your solution will operate—like cloud platforms, on-premises data centers, or hybrid environments. Each environment has its own set of rules and constraints that you need to consider.
Gathering Clues
In Cluedo, you move from room to room, gathering clues by making suggestions and seeing which cards other players have. Similarly, in solution architecture, you gather information by asking questions, conducting stakeholder interviews, and analyzing requirements. You need to understand the business needs, technical constraints, and existing systems to start narrowing down your options.
Making Suggestions
During the game, you make suggestions like “I think it was Colonel Mustard with the candlestick in the library.” In solution architecture, you make initial design proposals. For example, “I suggest using a microservices architecture with a NoSQL database on a cloud platform.” You then test these suggestions by validating them against the requirements and constraints and talking to your peers or even presenting them as options to the Architecture Board. Depends a bit on how brave you are.
Refining Your Solution
As you gather more clues in Cluedo, you begin to eliminate possibilities and zero in on the solution. In solution architecture, this is akin to iterating on your design. You continuously refine your architecture, testing assumptions, and adjusting components until you have the optimal setup. For now, at least.
Making the Final Accusation
In Cluedo, the game is won by making the correct accusation: identifying the murderer, weapon, and location.
In solution architecture there are multiple wins. The first “win” is when you finalize a solution that meets all the requirements. Another “win” is to test it with your peers or Lead Devs to see if it is feasible. Approval from stakeholders is always a big win. And finally when your design goes into production, that is the best win of all!
So next time you’re architecting a solution, remember other people might see it as a crime scene!
