A brief look at why we draw architecture diagrams and why storing them as code is the way to go. C4: https://c4model.com Structurizr: https://structurizr.com FTS example architectures: https://www.figtechnology.solutions/projects

We take a look at the new Apple Container CLI tool and see how it builds the foundation for a very interesting workflow for development on macOS in the future. GitHub: https://github.com/apple/container Releases: https://github.com/apple/container/releases Tutorial: https://github.com/apple/container/blob/main/docs/tutorial.md How-to for complex use cases: https://github.com/apple/container/blob/main/docs/how-to.md Technical overview: https://github.com/apple/container/blob/main/docs/technical-overview.md CLI reference: https://github.com/apple/container/blob/main/docs/command-reference.md Documentation: https://apple.github.io/container/documentation Containerization framework: https://github.com/apple/containerization

Ever been asked what a Solution Architect actually does? In this video, I break down what the role really means — beyond the buzzwords — and compare it to the kind of architect who designs buildings. We’ll unpack what architecture looks like in the digital world: • What we actually build when nothing we design is physical • Why principles, decisions, and diagrams are the core artefacts of good architecture • How Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) help capture critical trade-offs • And how the C4 Model helps make complex systems easier to understand and communicate Whether you’re a developer curious about architecture, a manager trying to understand what your architect does all day, or someone thinking about moving into the role — this video will give you a clear, practical overview of what a Solution Architect does (and why it matters). References Who Needs an Architect? - https://martinfowler.com/ieeeSoftware/whoNeedsArchitect.pdf Documenting Architecture Decisions - https://cognitect.com/blog/2011/11/15/documenting-architecture-decisions.html The C4 Model - https://c4model.com

Are you feeling stuck in your IT career? Maybe you’re great technically, but struggling to move into leadership… or burnout is creeping in. In this video, Stuart Campbell (Principal Consultant & Coach at Fig Technology Solutions) shares how professional coaching – and CliftonStrengths in particular – can help you get clarity, build confidence, and thrive in the fast-changing world of tech. You’ll learn: ✅ The real challenges IT professionals face today ✅ Why coaching works (and what the research says) ✅ How CliftonStrengths helps you play to your natural talents ✅ Practical ways to use your strengths to accelerate your career 👉 Book your free 30-minute consultation: https://www.figtechnology.solutions/contact

Managing Terraform/OpenTofu state locally is fine for a demo… but in real-world environments you need a secure, shared, and reliable way to manage it remotely. In this video, I’ll show you how to set up a remote state backend for OpenTofu using AWS S3 — without relying on an expensive managed service. You’ll learn: - Why remote state matters for production and team collaboration - Step-by-step setup of an S3 bucket with proper permissions - How to configure your OpenTofu backend for remote state with locking By the end, you’ll have a working setup that keeps your state safe, centralised, and ready for collaboration. 🔔 Subscribe for more practical DevOps, architecture, and cloud how-tos. 💬 Got a question or tip? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear your experiences with OpenTofu or Terraform remote state. Terraform code: https://github.com/figtechnologysolutions/intrototerraform Original Intro to Terraform video: https://youtu.be/SaJ1iqfXVPc

I take a look at one of my "arm's reach" books, Gregor Hohpe's The Software Architect Elevator to explain my key takeaways and why everyone should learn to ride the elevator. Get more from Gregor at https://architectelevator.com.

Inspired by @jawestenberg 's essay on deleting their second brain I think about how we can make sure we are building tools that serve us in the current moment. Joan's blog post: https://www.joanwestenberg.com/p/i-deleted-my-second-brain Circles of Control/Influence/Concern: https://positivepsychology.com/circles-of-influence/

Get a quick overview of what an Expert Generalist is, why I think they are important, and how to find them. Kottke link: https://kottke.org/25/07/0047084-on-the-expert-generalist- Thoughtworks blog post: https://martinfowler.com/articles/expert-generalist.html Our blog post: https://www.figtechnology.solutions/blog/expert-generalist-importance-of-range Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/figtechnology.bsky.social Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@figtech Threads: https://www.threads.com/@figtechnologysolutions@figtechnologysolutions

In a world obsessed with hyper-specialisation, the concept of the Expert Generalist offers a compelling counter-narrative. Inspired by Martin Fowler’s reflections and supported by research from 3M’s top innovators, this post explores why having range—not just depth—can be the key to solving complex

Check out an introduction to Personal Knowledge Management and learn why I love using Obsidian. You can get Obsidian and https://obsidian.md. To learn more about the PARA method check out https://fortelabs.com/blog/para/. For the full official Markdown syntax check out https://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/syntax.