Marc von Holzen

System, Software & Data Architecture

With the explosion of AI tools and the ability to consider larger refactorings than ever, it is critical to define what architecture is so that we can communicate and evolve it.

Architecture defines the aspects of a system that will be costly to change.

This definition directs focus on components solely based on our ability to change them, encourages design with evolution in mind, and provides a guideline to avoid under- or over-specifying.

Scope

This principle applies to all three pillars of organizations

groups People

  • Teams and Agents Topology
  • Product / Engineering Relationships
  • Knowledge Management and Documentation

account_tree Processes

  • Software Development Lifecycle
  • Technical Debt Prioritization
  • Architecture Decision Records
  • Review and Evolution Cadence

computer Systems

  • Engineering Principles
  • System and Software Architecture
  • Data Model and Pipelines
  • Integration Patterns

Your Situation

Scaling Challenges

Your system worked at smaller scale, but you’re hitting limits—performance bottlenecks, deployment complexity, or team coordination issues. You need to evolve without stopping the business.

Technical Debt Accumulated

Years of pragmatic decisions have created a system that’s hard to change. You need a plan to modernize incrementally while continuing to deliver value.

AI Integration Questions

You want to leverage AI capabilities, but you’re not sure where they fit or how to integrate them responsibly. You need architecture that enables experimentation without creating risk.

What You’ll Achieve

Published Design Goals and Architecture Blueprints

Clear documentation of your system’s foundational decisions—not buried in someone’s head, but accessible to everyone who needs to build on them. Your team will know why things are built the way they are.

Roadmaps with Implementation Timelines

A practical path from where you are to where you need to be, with clear checkpoints and decision points. Not a waterfall plan, but a living roadmap that adapts as you learn.

A Process to Execute and Evolve

Architecture isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a continuous practice. I help you establish review processes, decision records, and communication patterns that keep architecture relevant as your system grows.

Ready to Define Your Architecture?

Let's discuss your system's challenges and design a path forward.
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