Free Resources

Downloadable templates, worksheets, and checklists referenced throughout the book.

Observability and SLOs

πŸ“Š
SLO Definition Worksheet
Chapter 11 β€” Observability
A structured worksheet for defining Service Level Objectives: error budget calculations, SLI selection, alerting thresholds, and review cadence.
View Resource

Decisions, Patterns, and Quality

πŸ“‹
Architectural Decision Record Template
Chapter 14 β€” How to Make Architectural Decisions
A complete ADR template with context, decision, status, consequences, and alternatives considered. Based on the Nygard ADR format with practical additions.
View Resource
βš–οΈ
Quality Attribute Prioritizer
Chapter 18 β€” Balancing Quality Attributes
A scoring matrix for ranking quality attributes (performance, security, maintainability, scalability, etc.) against business priorities and system constraints.
View Resource
πŸ“
Quality Attributes Worksheet
Chapter 18 β€” Balancing Quality Attributes
Per-attribute worksheet for documenting requirements, scenarios, and measures for each quality attribute in your system.
View Resource

Governance and Reference Architecture

πŸ“‘
RFC Proposal Template
Chapter 19 β€” Architecture Governance
A Request for Comments template for proposing significant architectural changes: problem statement, proposed solution, alternatives, risks, and review process.
View Resource
🎯
Technology Radar Template
Chapter 19 β€” Architecture Governance
A lightweight technology radar format for tracking and communicating your organization's stance on technologies: adopt, trial, assess, or hold.
View Resource
πŸ›οΈ
Reference Architecture Template
Chapter 20 β€” Reference Architecture
A structured template for documenting reference architectures: scope, principles, component overview, integration patterns, and governance rules.
View Resource
πŸ—ΊοΈ
Architecture Proposal Template
Chapter 21 β€” Communication
A proposal format for presenting architectural decisions to stakeholders: executive summary, current state, proposed state, trade-offs, and implementation plan.
View Resource

Stakeholder Management

πŸ‘₯
Stakeholder Mapping Template
Chapter 23 β€” Stakeholder Management
A matrix for identifying and managing stakeholders: influence vs. interest grid, communication preferences, concerns, and engagement strategy.
View Resource

Your First 90 Days

πŸš€
90-Day Architect Plan Template
Chapter 27 β€” The First 90 Days as an Architect
A structured 30-60-90 day plan for new architects: listening and learning, first contributions, and establishing architectural direction. Includes weekly focus areas and milestones.
View Resource
βœ…
Architecture Review Checklist
Appendix B
A comprehensive checklist for reviewing architectural designs: functional requirements, quality attributes, security, observability, operational readiness, and documentation.
View Resource
πŸ”
Skills Self-Assessment
Appendix C
Rate yourself across the full skill spectrum of architectural work: technical depth, decision-making, communication, governance, stakeholder management, and leadership.
View Resource