Conway's Law:
We can view a system as a linear graph.
Each node is a subsystem which communicates with other subsystems along the branches.
Each subsystem may contain a structure similarly portrayed.
"Interface" refers to the inter-subsystem communication path or branch.
We can view a system as a linear graph.
Each node is a subsystem which communicates with other subsystems along the branches.
Each subsystem may contain a structure similarly portrayed.
"Interface" refers to the inter-subsystem communication path or branch.
The linear-graph notation is useful because it provides an abstraction that has the same form for the two entities we are considering:
the design organization
and the system it designs.
the design organization
and the system it designs.
Replace "system" with "committee."
Replace "subsystem" with "subcommittee."
Replace "interface" with "coordinator."
Just as with systems, we find that design groups can be viewed at several levels of complication.
Replace "subsystem" with "subcommittee."
Replace "interface" with "coordinator."
Just as with systems, we find that design groups can be viewed at several levels of complication.
Is there any predictable relationship between the graph structure of a design organization and the graph structure of the system it designs? The answer is: Yes, the relationship is so simple that in some cases it is an identity.
-- How Do Committees Invent?, Melvin Conway
-- How Do Committees Invent?, Melvin Conway
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
