Architecture Decision Records That People Actually Write and Read

Architecture Decision Records That People Actually Write and Read

Most teams either skip documenting architecture decisions entirely or create heavyweight documents everyone ignores. ADRs fix this - but only when they’re lightweight enough to write during the decision, structured enough to answer ‘why did we do that?’ six months later, and stored where people actually look. Here’s a practical approach with a template that sticks.

23 December 2025 · 10 min · 1929 words · Paul McIlreavy
Software Development: Engineering or Science?

Software Development: Engineering or Science?

Software development has more in common with scientific research than engineering. Using the Cynefin framework, this post looks at why building a bridge is a complicated problem, why building software is a complex one, and why that difference explains Waterfall’s failures and Agile’s fit.

28 January 2025 · 9 min · 1874 words · Paul McIlreavy
Azure Backup: A Helpful Analogy

Azure Backup Services: A Helpful Analogy

This article uses the analogy of a professional photographer’s studio to explain Azure’s various backup and recovery services, including Azure Backup, MARS Agent, MABS, DPM, and Azure Site Recovery. It highlights the key differences between each service and when to use them.

16 September 2024 · 7 min · 1405 words · Paul McIlreavy
Azure Private Networking: A Helpful Analogy

Azure Private Networking: A Helpful Analogy

Struggling to remember Azure’s private networking concepts? This article offers a refreshing take on Private Links, Endpoints, DNS Zones, and Zone Groups using a relatable analogy. Perfect for developers who need a clear, memorable explanation to navigate Azure’s complex networking features and implement secure cloud solutions.

11 September 2024 · 10 min · 1920 words · Paul McIlreavy