Patterns
What if business operators used software architecture patterns to influence their internal operations?
This post kicks off a series of posts diving into these commonly-used patterns, and how the same concepts can be applied for structuring business processes.
But more importantly — this post kicks off The Enginepreneur. A blog at the intersection of technology & business. I write to demystify technical concepts for the entrepreneur, and expand the business IQ for the engineer. But overall, my goal is to break any stigmas which typically separate the two. I believe this is a good topic to get started.
Software Architecture Patterns
We know that software is composed of databases, servers, and user interfaces which are somehow connected to form a system. The way that an engineer structures these connection points is a bit of an art and a science. There isn’t a single blueprint that is optimized for every use-case. Instead, there are flexible patterns which serve as guidelines for developing a sound architecture, leaving room for creative problem-solving.
Below are some of those patterns. In subsequent posts, I’ll select one and dive deeper into it's analogous business applications.
Layered Architecture
In software: This pattern consists of horizontal layers — Database, Persistence, Business Logic, and Presentation (stacked from bottom to top). There is no code related to the presentational style of the app co-mingled with database functions. Each layer only interacts with the layer above or below it. The Presentation layer (the UI) only sends & retrieves data from the database after it is processed by the Persistence & Business Logic layers. The idea is to maintain a clear hierarchy—or assembly line—of responsibilities to keep interaction points manageable.
In business: You can neatly structure your business ops into these layers. The core information of your business is the Database layer; the repeatable jobs that are performed internally is the Business Logic layer; and the ways that those functions are triggered by your customers & team is the Presentation layer (or Interface layer).
Model-View-Controller (MVC)
In software: This pattern divides an application into three interconnected components. The Model represents the data, the View is the user interface, and the Controller serves as the intermediary between the two, handling user input and updating the model and view accordingly. The beauty of MVC is in its separation of concerns—each component has a distinct role, which makes the codebase easier to maintain and scale.
In business: Think of the Model as the core data and operations of your business, the View as how your customers and employees interact with it (via email, apps, or even customer service), and the Controller as the rules or processes that connect these two. This structure lets you focus on optimizing internal processes (Model) without worrying about how it affects the customer experience (View), because you have the Controller to manage that relationship.
Command Query Responsibility Segregation (CQRS)
In software: CQRS separates read and write operations, meaning the part of your system responsible for updating data is different from the part retrieving data. This separation allows for better scalability, as both operations can be optimized independently.
In business: Imagine you have one team focused purely on collecting information (queries), while another team is dedicated to implementing changes based on that info (commands). By splitting these responsibilities, you avoid bottlenecks and improve overall efficiency. Decision-makers can gather insights from the data (Query), while operations execute based on those insights (Command).
Client-Server
In software: The Client-Server model is simple but powerful: clients request services, and servers provide them. This separation allows multiple clients to access a central server, sharing data and functions while maintaining control over who can access what.
In business: Your business operates the same way. Your ‘server’ is the central repository of knowledge, processes, and systems, while your ‘clients’ could be employees, contractors, or customers accessing those resources. The key here is that while the server remains consistent, the client experience can vary—customized to each user’s needs while maintaining overall system stability.
Microservices
In software: Microservices break down a large application into smaller, independent services that communicate with each other. Each microservice is responsible for a single business function, allowing for greater flexibility and scalability.
In business: You can think of your departments or business functions as microservices. Each department—whether it’s marketing, sales, or HR—can operate independently but must collaborate seamlessly. This approach lets you scale individual parts of the business without disrupting the entire operation.
Event-Driven
In software: In event-driven architecture, services or components communicate by emitting and reacting to events. When a change happens, an event is triggered, and various parts of the system react accordingly, often asynchronously. This pattern is great for handling real-time data and complex workflows.
In business: Events are the lifeblood of any business—whether it’s a new customer order, a completed service, or a product launch. An event-driven business process allows different teams or systems to react to these triggers without constantly checking in. For instance, a sale triggers an update to inventory, which in turn triggers a reordering process—each function runs independently but reacts to the same event.
Pub-Sub
In software: Publish-Subscribe (Pub-Sub) is a messaging pattern where senders (publishers) send messages to a topic, and receivers (subscribers) choose which topics to listen to. This decouples the producers from the consumers, making it easier to scale and manage.
In business: Think of Pub-Sub as a way to decentralize information. Leadership ‘publishes’ updates, directives, or new initiatives, and each department or team ‘subscribes’ to relevant topics. This way, you ensure that the right people get the right information without overwhelming everyone with every update.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P)
In software: In Peer-to-Peer architecture, each node in the network acts as both a client and a server. This decentralization allows for distributed workloads and removes any single point of failure.
In business: A P2P model in business is akin to cross-functional teams where each member is empowered to contribute equally—there’s no single point of authority or bottleneck. This promotes collaboration, reduces delays, and ensures that knowledge and responsibility are shared across the organization.