Architect Cafe #3 - So, You Want to Be a Solutions Architect?

The third edition of Architect Café in Den Bosch for an evening of learning and discussion about software architecture. Oscar van der Leij will discuss the responsibilities of solutions architects with strong audience participation, while Cris Cadinu will explain how to visualize software architecture through the C4 model's four diagram types.

Event Overview

Solutions Architect Role Discussion

Oscar van der Leij will discuss the responsibilities and nuances of solutions architects in an interactive format, fielding audience questions throughout the session to address real-world concerns and challenges. This approach will ensure the content remains relevant to participants' actual experiences and helps clarify common misconceptions about the role.

C4 Modelling Workshop

Co-presenter Cris Cadinu will explain how to visualize software architecture through four diagram types, each serving a distinct purpose in communicating design decisions:

Context diagrams will show system context and external dependencies, helping stakeholders understand how the system fits into the broader ecosystem.

Container diagrams will illustrate high-level technology choices and how major components interact, providing a technology-focused view of the system.

Component diagrams will detail component-level design within containers, showing internal structure and dependencies.

Code diagrams will reveal code-level implementation details for specific components when additional clarity is needed.

Interactive Workshop Component

A distinctive feature will be the interactive architecture diagram creation exercise where both software developers and architects will work with a fictional business case scenario. This hands-on approach will facilitate knowledge sharing among architects and developers, help bridge the gap between development and architecture roles, and provide practical experience with architecture thinking and documentation.

Agenda

18:00 - 18:30
Welcome & Registration

18:30 - 19:00
Solutions Architect Responsibilities

19:00 - 19:30
C4 Model Introduction

19:30 - 19:45
Break

19:45 - 20:30
Hands-On Workshop: Drawing Architecture Views

20:30 - 21:00
Review & Discussion