Visualising software architecture with the C4 model - Simon Brown, Agile on the Beach 2019

In Simon Brown's talk at AOTB 2019 he explores the visual communication of software architecture based upon a decade of Simon’s experiences working with software development teams large and small across the globe.

He looks at what is commonplace today, the importance of creating a shared vocabulary, diagram notation, and the value of creating a lightweight model to describe your software system using the “C4 model”, which he created as a way to help software development teams describe and communicate software architecture, both during up-front design sessions and when retrospectively documenting an existing codebase.

It’s very likely that the majority of the software architecture diagrams you’ve seen are a confused mess of boxes and lines. Following the publication of the Manifesto for Agile Software Development in 2001, teams have abandoned UML, discarded the concept of modelling and instead place a heavy reliance on conversations centered around incoherent whiteboard diagrams or shallow “Marketecture” diagrams created with Visio. Moving fast and being Agile requires good communication, yet software development teams struggle with this fundamental skill. A good set of software architecture diagrams are priceless for aligning a team around a shared vision and for getting new-joiners productive fast.

BIOGRAPHY
Simon is an independent consultant specialising in software architecture, and the author of “Software Architecture for Developers” (a developer-friendly guide to software architecture, technical leadership and the balance with agility). He is also the creator of the C4 software architecture model, which is a simple approach for creating maps of your code. Simon is a regular speaker at international software development conferences, travelling the world to help organisations visualise and document their software architecture.

[kloudja]

One of the best presentations I've seen so far. Not boring at all. Not reading the power point slides. Simple bullet points. Amazing presentation. Interesting topic. Amazing content. Big applause to Simon Brown

[MinhDangbui_Asopi]

Still awesome in 2024! What a great presentation and explanation to break down such a complex ways of communication into simple process.

[JazminMortimer]

What a lovely presentation! Sat through the whole thing easily.

[wallyhall]

I honestly think if universities around the world taught this first - and *then* UML - software teams (and engineering teams generally) would start to have saner (read: actually valuable) documentation within the next 10 years.

After a decade-and-a-half of secular software engineering experience, I've only just discovered the C4 model. It's done more for my career than half of my formal education.

Without hesitation I would say to anyone reading this: *start here*. Start with the C4 model. And stick with it until you have reason to break from it. And do your next employer/team a favour: pass this message on.

[archipeg]

We loved the C4 model, and this video helped us understand it in more detail, right from the author. We will soon be supporting C4 inside Archipeg, too. Seems to be a very promising metamodel for architecture. Thanks for this amazing video!

[SuperToughnut]

Best video I have seen on drawing architecture diagrams. I'm glad I'm not the only one that looks at others diagrams and say "what"?

[twoencore]

Really enjoyed this. I found my self using old school UML to still describe an architecture. This video really helped refine my approach!

[DeepakAggarwal]

One of the best presentation not just in terms of delivery and content, but also impact🎉

[thirudoddi]

Nice Presentation! I always struggle what the Architect is trying to convey using the boxes and lines, a lot of hidden details even in a well organized (not documented) diagram. The Architectural diagrams are very valuable resources and C4 will definitely help to make the Architecture models self explanatory (hopefully)!

[AMFLearning]

nice mr simon brown, you are inspired us to create content about software architect for our college in UINSA, thanks a lot #amflearning #amflearningbydoing #amfedukasi #amfedukasiforeveryone

[josiahtobas]

Straight and to the point, great to see it's being taught to more people.

[quangninhus]

Exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks a lot

[marcthomas]

I used to be the person that you talk about "Just use a whiteboard" and use those diagrams to talk around. However, it doesn't hurt to have a simple, common notation. UML always felt too detailed and more applicable to application design rather than architecture.

[dandoescode]

Great presso! Amazing summary of C4 modelling and recommended best practices.

[rdogadin]

Great demo. You can also use Miro boards, if you don't want your sticky notes fall off.

[jeromemohanan]

Great Talk. Wonderful tool for High Level Abstraction. Paints the big picture very clearly.

[TheMegaMrMe]

very good points.
On the AWS example with icons, context is king. If you know the cloud, it makes sense and it is actually very helpful

[roman_mf]

This is awesome. Wish I saw this talk earlier!

[illyam]

Great! Excellent content and presentation skills!

[mauricemakesmovies]

Very clear presentation. Thanks for uploading this!