1 Part Technical 2 Parts Professional development Splash of Humor In this presentation we discuss the similarities between architecting a datacenter and architecting your career based on solid design principles.

1. Architecting the Agile Career

2. Josh.Atwell@SolidFire.com
@josh_atwell
#CIVMUG

3. Design Principles
The things that must be
considered for any good
design.
• Requirements
• Constraints
• Assumptions
• Risks

4. Requirements
Design condition that
must be satisfied
• Location of Job
• % Willing to Travel
• Full-Time or Contract
• Company Size
• Benefits

5. Constraints
Non-Negotiable design
condition
• Minimum Salary
• Specific Benefits
• Quantity Paid
Vacation
• Flexible Hours

6. Assumptions
Design conditions that
are accepted as true
without necessarily
being able to verify
condition
• Culture Compatibility
• Duties will be as
described
• Resources required
will be available

7. Risks
Things that could
prevent the success of
the design
• Dislike the work
• Poor Management
• Poor culture

9. Pick Your End Goals
If you won the lottery
tomorrow. How would
you spend your time?
If you had unlimited
funds/resources how
would you meet your
architecture goals?

10. Pick Your End Goals
What’s the best case
end state?
KNOW YOUR
DESTINATION

11. Pick Your Path
Do not think or plan
strictly linearly. You
have NO way of knowing
all of the paths to your
goals.
New technologies or
requirements will present
themselves will require
flexibility in your
architecture.

12. Pick Your Path
Rome was not
built in a day
BE FLEXIBLE.
BE AGILE.

13. Skills Gap
Do not fixate on a
particular job. Instead
focus on improving your
skills.
New technologies often
mean new skills.

14. Skills Gap
It’s not about the job.
It’s about having the
skills to do it.
Always
Growing

15. Balance
Build skills that meet
your professional AND
personal goals.
Design for High
Availability

16. Balance
A stable architecture is a
balanced architecture.
Be Tolerant of
Imbalance

17. Find a Mentor
Find someone in a
position that interests
you and let them help
guide you through their
experience.
No need to design alone.
Peer reviews. Peer
reviews. Peer reviews.

18. Find a Mentor
Every architecture
should be reviewed by
others.
Get Feedback
Early & Often

19. Understand
the Design
If you sat beside a hiring
manager on a plane
could you make them
interested in you?
If you were asked by your
leadership, could you
explain the value of the
design?

20. Understand
the Design
Be able to articulate the
core of your design in a 3-
5 min conversation.
Know What
You’re Trying
to Achieve

21. Maintain Order
Keep your personal
affairs in order
and a priority.
Documentation and
operability are critical in
a successful design.

22. Maintain Order
Good design
incorporates operational
considerations.
Buses are CLEARLY
After IT People

23. Have a Plan
• Know where you want to go
• Be introspective
• Be Honest
• Re-evaluate often

24. Josh.Atwell@SolidFire.com
@josh_atwell