A Solution Design Framework

Well-Architected

Why Well-Architected

Imagine a world without law, without order. This inquiry drove some of the most celebrated philosophers of our time to examine ideas that would ignite revolutions. In his masterpiece the Republic, circa 375 BC, Plato famously penned, “our need will be the real creator,” loosely translating into the familiar “necessity is the mother of invention.” Fast-forward to the fourth industrial revolution, we’re still struggling to organize around a central technology ethos–enter the AWS Well-Architected framework.

The Origin Story

The AWS Well-Architected framework was born out of necessity in response to an increasing demand to bring order out of chaos. At the time, AWS provided excellent technical documentation to support its expansive product portfolio. However, AWS lacked practical tools and resources for architects to evaluate their solution design against a proven set of trusted guidelines. As a result, in 2012, AWS created the Well-Architected Framework as an internal tool–understanding that employees, customers, and partners needed help.

Operational Excellence

Security

Reliability

Performance Efficiency

Cost Optimization

Sustainability

The Well-Architected framework is a set of design principles intended to provide prescriptive guidance, recommendations, and best practices to build and operate high-performing cloud architectures. At its core, the AWS Well-Architected framework is anchored with six foundational pillars: 1) Operational Excellence, 2) Security, 3) Reliability, 4) Performance Efficiency, 5) Cost Optimization, and 6) Sustainability. Essentially, These standards of practice offer a practical approach to implementing designs that will scale over time. The bottom line is consistent and predictable outcomes.

In 2015, AWS publicly launched the framework at their annual re:Invent conference in the form of a white paper. The idea was revolutionary, causing a groundswell of interest and excitement. The publication outlined the most complete and thorough collection of solution design and architectural tenets to date. This initial release set in motion a wave of innovation across the industry, enabling a surge of digital transformation around the world.

Where are we now?

The framework’s guiding principles have evolved and matured since its inception in 2012. In addition, AWS has introduced guidance for industry-specific and technological domains to further expand and augment the framework’s capabilities. In the years to follow its initial release, the framework has gained popularity amongst leading cloud providers like Salesforce, Google, and Microsoft–adopting the foundational principles for their platforms. These technology providers have authored their opinionated views of the Well-Architected framework initially inspired by AWS.

Comparing Frameworks

Technology providers have authored their opinionated views of the Well-Architected framework initially inspired by AWS. See how they compare.

AWS	Google	Microsoft	Oracle
Operational Excellence	Operational Excellence	Operational Excellence	Operational Efficiency
Security	Security, Privacy, and Compliance	Security	Security and Compliance
Reliability	Reliability	Reliability	Reliability and Resilience
Performance Efficiency	Performance Optimization	Performance Efficiency	–
Cost Optimization	Cost Optimization	Cost Optimization	Performance and Cost optimization
Sustainability	–	–	–

Salesforce
Well-Architected

Salesforce is the latest cloud provider to enter the Well-Architected space. They introduced their interpretation of the Well-Architected framework in the second half of 2022. At first glance, the foundational principles (“pillars”) are a far departure from the original, highly modified. It appears that Salesforce launched this opinionated view of the framework, tailored to fit their solutions and customers. This blog will primarily explore concepts centered around Salesforce’s Well-Architected framework.

Secure

A secure system protects the business, stakeholders and data. Secure architectures ensure only approved users can gain access, restrict user access to what’s essential to get work done, and protect data within the system from being compromised.

Organizational Security

Authentication
Authorization

Session Security

Session Management
Device Access
Threat Detection and Response

Data Security

Sharing and Visibility
Encryption

Compliant

Compliant solutions follow legal and ethical guidelines. Compliant architectures adhere to legal regulations and industry standards, uphold ethical policies, and serve all users equitably.

Legal Adherence

Data Privacy
Localization

Ethical Standards

Company Policies
Artificial Intelligence

Accessibility

Data Entry
Navigation

Reliable

Reliable solutions operate efficiently and dependably, under a range of conditions. Reliable architectures are available when and where users expect, perform consistently, and scale with the business.

Availability

Risk Assessment
Failure Mitigation Strategy

Performance

Throughput Optimization
Latency Optimization

Scalability

Data Model Optimization
Data Volume Management
Scale Testing

Simple

Simple solutions follow the most direct path in engineering. Simple architectures are clear to read and understand, can be maintained effectively, and are planned and delivered with intention.

Readability

Design Standards
Documentation

Maintainability

Standard vs Custom
Technical Debt

Intentionality

Roadmapping
Governance

Automated

Automated solutions enable the business to meet key goals and objectives faster, at scale. Healthy automation enables users to focus on high-value work and reduces time spent on repetitive, manual tasks or complex data entry.

Clear Logic

Optimization
Planning for Scale

Data Integrity

Transaction Handling
Error Handling

Alignment to Business Value

KPIs
Prioritization

Engaging

Engaging solutions delight users and drive adoption. Architecting for engagement means creating intuitive, helpful user experiences.

Streamlined

Navigation
Forms
Form Factor

Helpful

Notifications & Messaging
In-App Guidance
Recognition & Rewards

Incident Response

Prioritze Recovery
Triage Effectively
Monitor and Alert

Resilient

Resilient solutions handle change well. Resilient architectures can return to expected behavior and operations quickly and in predictable ways.

Continuity Planning

Define Business Continuity for Salesforce
Plan for Technology Continuity

Application Lifecycle Management

Release Management
Environment Strategy
Testing Strategy

Separation of Concerns

Orient to Business Capability
Manage State

Composable

Composable solutions adjust quickly and with greater stability. Composable architectures are built in units that operate gracefully with one another, and can be swapped in and out of service.

Interoperability

Messaging and Eventing
API Management

Packageability

Loose Coupling
Dependency Management

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