Gernot Starke & Benjamin Wolf

Architecture Communication Canvas

Is your software documentation a 'denial of service attack'? Learn to capture an entire system's critical aspects on a single, pragmatic canvas.

Architecture Communication Canvas
#1about 3 minutes

The common problems with software architecture documentation

Most projects suffer from either no documentation, overwhelming documentation, or overly complex diagrams that are impossible to understand.

#2about 4 minutes

Understanding the canvas pattern for structured visualization

A canvas is a one-page, structured visualization tool that captures key elements of a complex topic, inspired by the Business Model Canvas.

#3about 3 minutes

A brief overview of the Arc42 documentation template

Arc42 is an open-source template with 12 chapters for structuring software architecture documentation, but it can still be too extensive for some teams.

#4about 5 minutes

Introducing the Architecture Communication Canvas

The Architecture Communication Canvas is a one-page tool structured into problem, solution, and risks sections to concisely communicate a system's design.

#5about 3 minutes

Three practical use cases for the canvas

The canvas can be used to kickstart system reviews, overcome the blank-page syndrome when starting documentation, and quickly capture essential knowledge in emergencies.

#6about 3 minutes

Real-world examples of the canvas in action

See examples of the canvas applied to a large CRM system, a small internal tool, and a simple link checker to show its scalability.

#7about 4 minutes

Team experiences and benefits of using the canvas

Teams report that creating a canvas is fast, fun, and leads to valuable insights and "aha" moments about their own system.

#8about 1 minute

Q&A on canvas implementation and maintenance

The most difficult section to write is often past "bad decisions," and the canvas should be reviewed periodically, such as every three months.

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Matching moments

From ARC 42 to the Architecture Communication Canvas
02:24 MIN

From ARC 42 to the Architecture Communication Canvas

42 x 2 Canvases Later: Two Years, Two Minds, Many Lessons

Common challenges in architecture documentation
01:52 MIN

Common challenges in architecture documentation

42 x 2 Canvases Later: Two Years, Two Minds, Many Lessons

How different teams use the architecture canvas
02:45 MIN

How different teams use the architecture canvas

42 x 2 Canvases Later: Two Years, Two Minds, Many Lessons

Common pitfalls when using the architecture canvas
02:36 MIN

Common pitfalls when using the architecture canvas

42 x 2 Canvases Later: Two Years, Two Minds, Many Lessons

Using the arc42 template for lightweight documentation
03:21 MIN

Using the arc42 template for lightweight documentation

Work efficiently with Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)

Fostering alignment and documenting microservices
03:45 MIN

Fostering alignment and documenting microservices

42 x 2 Canvases Later: Two Years, Two Minds, Many Lessons

Why documenting architectural decisions is crucial
06:39 MIN

Why documenting architectural decisions is crucial

Work efficiently with Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)

User feedback on the benefits of the canvas
05:04 MIN

User feedback on the benefits of the canvas

42 x 2 Canvases Later: Two Years, Two Minds, Many Lessons

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