Andrew Harmel-Law
@andrewhl.bsky.social
They/them. Technical Principal at Thoughtworks UK. All opinions are my own (at least I sourced them myself) and don't reflect those of my employer.
Pinned
Andrew Harmel-Law
@andrewhl.bsky.social
· Dec 15
My book, Facilitating Software Architecture has been included in the Gartner 2026 Reading Guide for Software Architects and Engineers by Peter Hyde. 😱🎉
Being selected is both humbling and energizing.
Thank you everyone who contributed to what became the book. 📚
Being selected is both humbling and energizing.
Thank you everyone who contributed to what became the book. 📚
These conversations are some of the most thought-provoking I’ve ever had the privilege of being part of. Frequently the insights shared have me thinking for days or even weeks afterwards.
Check them out. You won’t be disappointed.
Check them out. You won’t be disappointed.
February 10, 2026 at 11:54 AM
These conversations are some of the most thought-provoking I’ve ever had the privilege of being part of. Frequently the insights shared have me thinking for days or even weeks afterwards.
Check them out. You won’t be disappointed.
Check them out. You won’t be disappointed.
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Last week we published the 12th episode, and we've already recorded 4 more. Hopefully these stories inspire and help people — in any role — on their path to changing the way we do architecture and design.
Check out the series: buff.ly/ihPoVzk
Check out the series: buff.ly/ihPoVzk
Stories on Facilitating Software Architecture & Design - Virtual Domain-Driven Design
We’ve consistently observed a common pattern: regardless of the architectural approach—from traditional enterprise to more hands-on, emergent methods—teams face similar obstacles when building…
virtualddd.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Last week we published the 12th episode, and we've already recorded 4 more. Hopefully these stories inspire and help people — in any role — on their path to changing the way we do architecture and design.
Check out the series: buff.ly/ihPoVzk
Check out the series: buff.ly/ihPoVzk
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Yes, editing takes work — but it also forces me to sit with the content, to really engage with it. We often forget that revisiting stories and ideas can help you re-engage with concepts you once knew but forgot, or give you a different perspective each time.
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February 10, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Yes, editing takes work — but it also forces me to sit with the content, to really engage with it. We often forget that revisiting stories and ideas can help you re-engage with concepts you once knew but forgot, or give you a different perspective each time.
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Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
I've been on my own path with this for the past 10 years, having had the privilege to witness a team-first approach early in my career. And honestly, recording and editing each episode still gives me new insights and fresh enthusiasm to try things differently.
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February 10, 2026 at 11:20 AM
I've been on my own path with this for the past 10 years, having had the privilege to witness a team-first approach early in my career. And honestly, recording and editing each episode still gives me new insights and fresh enthusiasm to try things differently.
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Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
And that's the hard part, isn't it? Knowing something needs to change and actually making that change are very different things. We believe stories are one of the best ways to bridge that gap. Hearing how others navigated their own path makes it feel less daunting and more achievable.
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February 10, 2026 at 11:20 AM
And that's the hard part, isn't it? Knowing something needs to change and actually making that change are very different things. We believe stories are one of the best ways to bridge that gap. Hearing how others navigated their own path makes it feel less daunting and more achievable.
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Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
The autocratic architect model is holding teams back, and a lot of people recognise this. They just don't know how to change the system to become more collaborative, more facilitating, while still upholding the integrity of the system as a whole.
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February 10, 2026 at 11:20 AM
The autocratic architect model is holding teams back, and a lot of people recognise this. They just don't know how to change the system to become more collaborative, more facilitating, while still upholding the integrity of the system as a whole.
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Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Short ones, 4 to 8 minutes, followed by a dialogue where we explore the experience together.
We started this because we keep seeing the same pattern: architecture and design done for teams instead of with teams — or even better, by teams.
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We started this because we keep seeing the same pattern: architecture and design done for teams instead of with teams — or even better, by teams.
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February 10, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Short ones, 4 to 8 minutes, followed by a dialogue where we explore the experience together.
We started this because we keep seeing the same pattern: architecture and design done for teams instead of with teams — or even better, by teams.
...
We started this because we keep seeing the same pattern: architecture and design done for teams instead of with teams — or even better, by teams.
...
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
How do you change the way architecture and design are done in your organisation?
End of last year, together with @roundcrisis.com and @andrewhl.bsky.social, we started a series called "Stories of Facilitating Software Architecture & Design." The idea is simple: let people share their stories.
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End of last year, together with @roundcrisis.com and @andrewhl.bsky.social, we started a series called "Stories of Facilitating Software Architecture & Design." The idea is simple: let people share their stories.
...
February 10, 2026 at 11:20 AM
How do you change the way architecture and design are done in your organisation?
End of last year, together with @roundcrisis.com and @andrewhl.bsky.social, we started a series called "Stories of Facilitating Software Architecture & Design." The idea is simple: let people share their stories.
...
End of last year, together with @roundcrisis.com and @andrewhl.bsky.social, we started a series called "Stories of Facilitating Software Architecture & Design." The idea is simple: let people share their stories.
...
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Nonsense. It's not possible to steal AI technology. I know this because Google's own LLMs are built using a complete copy of my legal blog, and that's somehow not stealing because, as Google says, a complete copy of my legal blog is both trivial and utterly essential for their tech to work.
Ex-Google Engineer Convicted of Stealing A.I. Secrets for Start-Up in China
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Nonsense. It's not possible to steal AI technology. I know this because Google's own LLMs are built using a complete copy of my legal blog, and that's somehow not stealing because, as Google says, a complete copy of my legal blog is both trivial and utterly essential for their tech to work.
AND there’s the benefits if the ADRs as a knowledge and thinking record. But in order for the benefits of that to land you need the ADRs to be written in the first place so that’s a 🐔🥚issue
January 30, 2026 at 12:27 PM
AND there’s the benefits if the ADRs as a knowledge and thinking record. But in order for the benefits of that to land you need the ADRs to be written in the first place so that’s a 🐔🥚issue
Thanks Mark. The trick that’s worked best for me is to show how the writing helps the thinking. It’s when commit something to words and pictures that the cracks become evident. 🤔
Also, when it’s written you can get advice. Advice is the force multiplier for everyone. 💪🏻
Also, when it’s written you can get advice. Advice is the force multiplier for everyone. 💪🏻
January 30, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Thanks Mark. The trick that’s worked best for me is to show how the writing helps the thinking. It’s when commit something to words and pictures that the cracks become evident. 🤔
Also, when it’s written you can get advice. Advice is the force multiplier for everyone. 💪🏻
Also, when it’s written you can get advice. Advice is the force multiplier for everyone. 💪🏻
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
I keep seeing leftists from outside of Minneapolis say they’ve seen all this before, and no, you haven’t. I’ve been at this for 30+ years and I haven’t either. It’s not what you’re picturing. This is something else
I know people keep saying this but it’s hard to communicate the depth of active resistance here. Like, I’m on random cafes and people are checking in for observation shifts. Signs everywhere. Folks in visibility vests on the corners. It’s wild. Absolutely wild.
January 22, 2026 at 6:18 PM
I keep seeing leftists from outside of Minneapolis say they’ve seen all this before, and no, you haven’t. I’ve been at this for 30+ years and I haven’t either. It’s not what you’re picturing. This is something else
This book, and the discussion with Bill, James and Bruce changed the way I reason about and with code entirely. You *need* to check both out. Trust me.
What if the compiler could check your side effects? Bill Frasure, @bruceeckel.bsky.social & James Ward tell @andrewhl.bsky.social how effects manage unpredictability - no math degree required.
Effect Oriented Programming • Bill Frasure, Bruce Eckel, James Ward & Andrew Harmel-Law • GOTO 2026
This interview was recorded for the GOTO Book Club. #GOTOcon #GOTObookclub
http://gotopia.tech/bookclub
Check out more here:
https://gotopia.tech
Bill Frasure - Co-Author of "Effect Oriented…
youtu.be
January 22, 2026 at 1:11 PM
This book, and the discussion with Bill, James and Bruce changed the way I reason about and with code entirely. You *need* to check both out. Trust me.
And also Software Architecture in Practice by Bass, Clements and Kazman.
December 16, 2025 at 12:43 PM
And also Software Architecture in Practice by Bass, Clements and Kazman.
I’ve not read it (yet) but @nick-tune.me and Jean Georges Perrin’s Architecture Modernisation is also there.
December 16, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I’ve not read it (yet) but @nick-tune.me and Jean Georges Perrin’s Architecture Modernisation is also there.
That would be useful wouldn’t it? 🤦🏼
(Gartner subscription required to read it.): www.gartner.com/document-rea...
(Gartner subscription required to read it.): www.gartner.com/document-rea...
Gartner Login
Gartner Login Application
www.gartner.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:40 AM
That would be useful wouldn’t it? 🤦🏼
(Gartner subscription required to read it.): www.gartner.com/document-rea...
(Gartner subscription required to read it.): www.gartner.com/document-rea...
Thanks for the reposts @emily.gorcen.ski and @lmatsakis.bsky.social 🙏
December 15, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Thanks for the reposts @emily.gorcen.ski and @lmatsakis.bsky.social 🙏
My book, Facilitating Software Architecture has been included in the Gartner 2026 Reading Guide for Software Architects and Engineers by Peter Hyde. 😱🎉
Being selected is both humbling and energizing.
Thank you everyone who contributed to what became the book. 📚
Being selected is both humbling and energizing.
Thank you everyone who contributed to what became the book. 📚
December 15, 2025 at 1:11 PM
My book, Facilitating Software Architecture has been included in the Gartner 2026 Reading Guide for Software Architects and Engineers by Peter Hyde. 😱🎉
Being selected is both humbling and energizing.
Thank you everyone who contributed to what became the book. 📚
Being selected is both humbling and energizing.
Thank you everyone who contributed to what became the book. 📚
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Yes this is something @roundcrisis.com @andrewhl.bsky.social and I discussed for one of our upcoming stories of facilitation. I also want to start experimenting with this pretty soon myself!Only worry I have is resulting: the tendency to equate the quality of the decision with that of the outcome.
December 9, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Yes this is something @roundcrisis.com @andrewhl.bsky.social and I discussed for one of our upcoming stories of facilitation. I also want to start experimenting with this pretty soon myself!Only worry I have is resulting: the tendency to equate the quality of the decision with that of the outcome.
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
You may possess wide contextual knowledge, but you lack the agency of implementation.
If you are in an architecture role, how do you ensure your high-level choices actually align with where the resources are being allocated?
If you are in an architecture role, how do you ensure your high-level choices actually align with where the resources are being allocated?
December 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
You may possess wide contextual knowledge, but you lack the agency of implementation.
If you are in an architecture role, how do you ensure your high-level choices actually align with where the resources are being allocated?
If you are in an architecture role, how do you ensure your high-level choices actually align with where the resources are being allocated?
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
As an architect, you can select an option. But ultimately, the engineers implement that choice. If they encounter friction and pivot to an alternative solution during coding, your decision was never actually made—because the resources were allocated elsewhere.
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December 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
As an architect, you can select an option. But ultimately, the engineers implement that choice. If they encounter friction and pivot to an alternative solution during coding, your decision was never actually made—because the resources were allocated elsewhere.
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Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
However, consider the definition of a decision we use in our book, which originates from Gien’s work: a decision is a choice between two alternatives that involves an irrevocable allocation of resources.
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December 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
However, consider the definition of a decision we use in our book, which originates from Gien’s work: a decision is a choice between two alternatives that involves an irrevocable allocation of resources.
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Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Both works highlight that without these skills, architects often revert to command-and-control tactics, believing they are making decisions for the teams.
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December 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Both works highlight that without these skills, architects often revert to command-and-control tactics, believing they are making decisions for the teams.
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Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
In Collaborative Software Design, the book I co-authored with @evelynvankelle.bsky.social and @gienverschatse.com, we argue that facilitation skills are critical to solving this. @andrewhl.bsky.social also explores this extensively in his book, Facilitating Software Architecture.
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December 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
In Collaborative Software Design, the book I co-authored with @evelynvankelle.bsky.social and @gienverschatse.com, we argue that facilitation skills are critical to solving this. @andrewhl.bsky.social also explores this extensively in his book, Facilitating Software Architecture.
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