Software architects design the digital systems that developers, and other team members inhabit.

Reading through Building Microservices and Sam Newman explains that Architects should spend time with the developers, or other people that use a system, and watch them navigate through it. How easy is it to modify? How easy is it to monitor? Are they happy to spend time in the system fine tuning it, and improving it? Or is it painful to do anything?

This information can inform the architects of information that may not otherwise be apparent. As a result of this understanding the architecture of the services, and the tooling built around it can be improved to alleviate the pain points. I think it is important that digital spaces be pleasant, and even beautiful where possible. Building technology and companies can be extremely difficult, and anything that can reduce friction, and noise should be considered.

Architects should watch the developers walk through the halls of the digital spaces they architect.