Andrew Harmel-Law
@andrewhl.bsky.social
They/them. Technical Principal at Thoughtworks UK. All opinions are my own (at least I sourced them myself) and don't reflect those of my employer.
Pinned
Andrew Harmel-Law
@andrewhl.bsky.social
· Sep 27
Half Marathon Berlin 20256 – My charity run • Sea-Watch e.V.
sea-watch.org
🏃♂️ I'm running the Berlin Half Marathon 2026 for Sea-Watch.org.
They conduct vital search & rescue operations in the Mediterranean, saving lives when others turn away.
21.1km for me = solidarity with their life-saving mission.
Please support me: sea-watch.org/en/join-us/m...
#BerlinHalf #SeaWatch
They conduct vital search & rescue operations in the Mediterranean, saving lives when others turn away.
21.1km for me = solidarity with their life-saving mission.
Please support me: sea-watch.org/en/join-us/m...
#BerlinHalf #SeaWatch
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
#GOTOpodcast w/ @andrewhl.bsky.social & Marit Van Dijk hits a nerve many of us know well:
architecture ends up slowing us down.
• Architects as facilitators
• ADRs as lightweight documentation
• Psychological safety as the hidden architecture layer
🎧 gotopia.tech/podcast
architecture ends up slowing us down.
• Architects as facilitators
• ADRs as lightweight documentation
• Psychological safety as the hidden architecture layer
🎧 gotopia.tech/podcast
November 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
#GOTOpodcast w/ @andrewhl.bsky.social & Marit Van Dijk hits a nerve many of us know well:
architecture ends up slowing us down.
• Architects as facilitators
• ADRs as lightweight documentation
• Psychological safety as the hidden architecture layer
🎧 gotopia.tech/podcast
architecture ends up slowing us down.
• Architects as facilitators
• ADRs as lightweight documentation
• Psychological safety as the hidden architecture layer
🎧 gotopia.tech/podcast
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Do we need software architects? A question that always sparks debate. We held an open discussion on the role, its anti-patterns, and expectations. Missed it? You can rewatch the session or listen to the podcast on our website.
buff.ly/fCTti5d
buff.ly/fCTti5d
Do we need software architects?
Do Software architects have a bad name? Why? What are your expectations, what anti-patterns you experience? What are you thankful for from your architects? Should you have a software architect in the…
buff.ly
November 13, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Do we need software architects? A question that always sparks debate. We held an open discussion on the role, its anti-patterns, and expectations. Missed it? You can rewatch the session or listen to the podcast on our website.
buff.ly/fCTti5d
buff.ly/fCTti5d
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Holding another Developer Science Office Hour TODAY and the theme is Design-a-Study, a mini (very mini) workshop on imagining a study from the very beginning!
www.eventbrite.com/e/design-a-s...
www.eventbrite.com/e/design-a-s...
Design a Study: with Dr. Cat Hicks
Join our free & open Developer Science Office Hour to "Design-a-Study"! Like Build-a-Bear, but for learning about research design!
www.eventbrite.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Holding another Developer Science Office Hour TODAY and the theme is Design-a-Study, a mini (very mini) workshop on imagining a study from the very beginning!
www.eventbrite.com/e/design-a-s...
www.eventbrite.com/e/design-a-s...
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, The Harvesters, 1565 #themet #europeanart
November 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, The Harvesters, 1565 #themet #europeanart
“The hardest part (of deciding) is framing the problem. It is also the part we spend the least amount of time on.”
This is _so_ true.
👏🏻 @gienverschatse.com closing #NewCrafts #Paris 2025.
This is _so_ true.
👏🏻 @gienverschatse.com closing #NewCrafts #Paris 2025.
November 6, 2025 at 4:27 PM
“The hardest part (of deciding) is framing the problem. It is also the part we spend the least amount of time on.”
This is _so_ true.
👏🏻 @gienverschatse.com closing #NewCrafts #Paris 2025.
This is _so_ true.
👏🏻 @gienverschatse.com closing #NewCrafts #Paris 2025.
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
“Anarchy doesn’t mean you can’t organise, but it should be done voluntary, functional, temporal and small”
November 6, 2025 at 11:31 AM
“Anarchy doesn’t mean you can’t organise, but it should be done voluntary, functional, temporal and small”
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
At @newcrafts.bsky.social watching @andrewhl.bsky.social talk about anarchy and how we can organise ourselves differently in our company instead of the hierarchy we have gotten so used to.
November 6, 2025 at 11:31 AM
At @newcrafts.bsky.social watching @andrewhl.bsky.social talk about anarchy and how we can organise ourselves differently in our company instead of the hierarchy we have gotten so used to.
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
For all of you who wonder why a perfect technical plan does not result in the perfect technical implemention #HolisticEngineering might be what you are looking for. Thanks @andrewhl.bsky.social and @gotocon.com for this interview.
Your codebase is a crime scene of decisions nobody made. @vanessaformicola.bsky.social tells @andrewhl.bsky.social how career paths, reorgs & human psychology shape architecture-and what you can do about it.
Holistic Engineering: Organic Problem Solving • Vanessa Formicola & Andrew Harmel-Law • GOTO 2025
This interview was recorded for GOTO Unscripted. #GOTOcon #GOTOunscripted
https://gotopia.tech
Read the full transcription of this interview here:
https://gotopia.tech/articles/403
Vanessa…
youtu.be
October 20, 2025 at 12:57 PM
For all of you who wonder why a perfect technical plan does not result in the perfect technical implemention #HolisticEngineering might be what you are looking for. Thanks @andrewhl.bsky.social and @gotocon.com for this interview.
Such an important idea, and one that’s not even that difficult to avoid, *if* you know what to look out for. Some really key insights from @vanessaformicola.bsky.social here. 💙🎉
Your codebase is a crime scene of decisions nobody made. @vanessaformicola.bsky.social tells @andrewhl.bsky.social how career paths, reorgs & human psychology shape architecture-and what you can do about it.
Holistic Engineering: Organic Problem Solving • Vanessa Formicola & Andrew Harmel-Law • GOTO 2025
This interview was recorded for GOTO Unscripted. #GOTOcon #GOTOunscripted
https://gotopia.tech
Read the full transcription of this interview here:
https://gotopia.tech/articles/403
Vanessa…
youtu.be
October 20, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Such an important idea, and one that’s not even that difficult to avoid, *if* you know what to look out for. Some really key insights from @vanessaformicola.bsky.social here. 💙🎉
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
. @andrewhl.bsky.social’s revolutionary approach to architecture is live! Learn how everyone can contribute without creating chaos. Watch his talk on democratizing decisions & subscribe for more perspectives! youtu.be/zp9Go2ChAdw
#amaberlin
#amaberlin
A Commune in the Ivory Tower: A New Approach to Architecture - Andrew Harmel Law
YouTube video by Agile meets Architecture
youtu.be
October 20, 2025 at 6:35 AM
. @andrewhl.bsky.social’s revolutionary approach to architecture is live! Learn how everyone can contribute without creating chaos. Watch his talk on democratizing decisions & subscribe for more perspectives! youtu.be/zp9Go2ChAdw
#amaberlin
#amaberlin
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Blimey: downdetector.co.uk #hugops all around.
Status overview
downdetector.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Blimey: downdetector.co.uk #hugops all around.
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
October 16, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
October 16, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
🏗️ Let’s talk #SoftwareArchitecture!
@simonbrown.je & @andrewhl.bsky.social join #YOW25 to challenge how you think abt structure, scale, & collaboration in modern software systems.
📅 MEL 4-5 | BNE 8-9 | SYD 11-12 Dec
yowcon.com
@simonbrown.je & @andrewhl.bsky.social join #YOW25 to challenge how you think abt structure, scale, & collaboration in modern software systems.
📅 MEL 4-5 | BNE 8-9 | SYD 11-12 Dec
yowcon.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:12 AM
🏗️ Let’s talk #SoftwareArchitecture!
@simonbrown.je & @andrewhl.bsky.social join #YOW25 to challenge how you think abt structure, scale, & collaboration in modern software systems.
📅 MEL 4-5 | BNE 8-9 | SYD 11-12 Dec
yowcon.com
@simonbrown.je & @andrewhl.bsky.social join #YOW25 to challenge how you think abt structure, scale, & collaboration in modern software systems.
📅 MEL 4-5 | BNE 8-9 | SYD 11-12 Dec
yowcon.com
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Me and @javujavichi.bsky.social “together” on stage. My favourite moment of #gsas25 captured here. First time I got quoted in a talk, achievement unlocked. ❤️
October 15, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Me and @javujavichi.bsky.social “together” on stage. My favourite moment of #gsas25 captured here. First time I got quoted in a talk, achievement unlocked. ❤️
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
You want teams to take architectural decisions by facilitating but you are struck with silence or indecision. That was the story @roundcrisis.com and @andrewhl.bsky.social talked about in our latest Story on Facilitating Software Architecture & Design.
When a team is silent on a key architectural choice, don't force it. A powerful alternative is asking for their consent to decide for them.
Our new story explores this technique for navigating indecision and unblocking your team. Read more:
buff.ly/N5wWqny
Our new story explores this technique for navigating indecision and unblocking your team. Read more:
buff.ly/N5wWqny
October 14, 2025 at 11:36 AM
You want teams to take architectural decisions by facilitating but you are struck with silence or indecision. That was the story @roundcrisis.com and @andrewhl.bsky.social talked about in our latest Story on Facilitating Software Architecture & Design.
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Time is a crucial element in modeling business workflows. In this video, @indualagarsamy shows how to implement your business policies in such a manner that it truly revolves around your business so you can realize the DDD dream
Evolving with the Changing Requirements: The DDD Dream
🔗Transcription 00:05 Indu Alagarsamy What I'm going to talk today, this talk is going to be, is requirements are going to be changing all the time and how can we keep up with those requirement…
particular.net
October 6, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Time is a crucial element in modeling business workflows. In this video, @indualagarsamy shows how to implement your business policies in such a manner that it truly revolves around your business so you can realize the DDD dream
November 6-7 I will be at @newcrafts.bsky.social in hashtag #Paris.
I love this conference, and this year I'll be sharing another new talk - this time about all the things you wanted to know about hashtag #anarchy but were afraid to ask. 🏴☠️ 🎉
Hope to see you there!
ncrafts.io
I love this conference, and this year I'll be sharing another new talk - this time about all the things you wanted to know about hashtag #anarchy but were afraid to ask. 🏴☠️ 🎉
Hope to see you there!
ncrafts.io
October 6, 2025 at 2:11 PM
November 6-7 I will be at @newcrafts.bsky.social in hashtag #Paris.
I love this conference, and this year I'll be sharing another new talk - this time about all the things you wanted to know about hashtag #anarchy but were afraid to ask. 🏴☠️ 🎉
Hope to see you there!
ncrafts.io
I love this conference, and this year I'll be sharing another new talk - this time about all the things you wanted to know about hashtag #anarchy but were afraid to ask. 🏴☠️ 🎉
Hope to see you there!
ncrafts.io
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Architecture isn’t about perfect diagrams - it’s about enabling teams to decide well when you’re not there. As @icooper.bsky.social, @hanneslowette.net & @davidwhitney.co.uk say: the best architects create culture, not constraints.
Why SW Architecture is Mostly Communication • David Whitney, Ian Cooper & Hannes Lowette • GOTO 2025
This interview was recorded for GOTO Unscripted. #GOTOcon #GOTOunscripted
https://gotopia.tech
Check out more here:
https://gotopia.tech/articles/400
David Whitney - Director of Architecture at…
youtu.be
September 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Architecture isn’t about perfect diagrams - it’s about enabling teams to decide well when you’re not there. As @icooper.bsky.social, @hanneslowette.net & @davidwhitney.co.uk say: the best architects create culture, not constraints.
I'm excited to be talking next week @gotocon.com (Copenhagen) about how to make architecture work in todays complex, ever-evolving world.
There will be lots about the Architecture Advice Process, and a wee drop of anarchy too. (But no chaos, promise.)
Come and find me for a chat if you're there.
There will be lots about the Architecture Advice Process, and a wee drop of anarchy too. (But no chaos, promise.)
Come and find me for a chat if you're there.
September 27, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I'm excited to be talking next week @gotocon.com (Copenhagen) about how to make architecture work in todays complex, ever-evolving world.
There will be lots about the Architecture Advice Process, and a wee drop of anarchy too. (But no chaos, promise.)
Come and find me for a chat if you're there.
There will be lots about the Architecture Advice Process, and a wee drop of anarchy too. (But no chaos, promise.)
Come and find me for a chat if you're there.
🏃♂️ I'm running the Berlin Half Marathon 2026 for Sea-Watch.org.
They conduct vital search & rescue operations in the Mediterranean, saving lives when others turn away.
21.1km for me = solidarity with their life-saving mission.
Please support me: sea-watch.org/en/join-us/m...
#BerlinHalf #SeaWatch
They conduct vital search & rescue operations in the Mediterranean, saving lives when others turn away.
21.1km for me = solidarity with their life-saving mission.
Please support me: sea-watch.org/en/join-us/m...
#BerlinHalf #SeaWatch
Half Marathon Berlin 20256 – My charity run • Sea-Watch e.V.
sea-watch.org
September 27, 2025 at 1:31 PM
🏃♂️ I'm running the Berlin Half Marathon 2026 for Sea-Watch.org.
They conduct vital search & rescue operations in the Mediterranean, saving lives when others turn away.
21.1km for me = solidarity with their life-saving mission.
Please support me: sea-watch.org/en/join-us/m...
#BerlinHalf #SeaWatch
They conduct vital search & rescue operations in the Mediterranean, saving lives when others turn away.
21.1km for me = solidarity with their life-saving mission.
Please support me: sea-watch.org/en/join-us/m...
#BerlinHalf #SeaWatch
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
With @kenny.weave-it.org and @andrewhl.bsky.social we are creating a series about our stories on facilitating software architecture.
How to move towards decentralisation no matter how your organisation operates (because it might just improve things)
We would love your stories too, questions welcome
How to move towards decentralisation no matter how your organisation operates (because it might just improve things)
We would love your stories too, questions welcome
We published our very first episode on Stories on Facilitating Software Architecture 🎉
@roundcrisis.com and @kenny.weave-it.org kicked things off talking about some real blockers to flow we're seeing in software architecture – from those "ivory tower" situations to folks doing hands-on work.
@roundcrisis.com and @kenny.weave-it.org kicked things off talking about some real blockers to flow we're seeing in software architecture – from those "ivory tower" situations to folks doing hands-on work.
September 3, 2025 at 8:48 AM
With @kenny.weave-it.org and @andrewhl.bsky.social we are creating a series about our stories on facilitating software architecture.
How to move towards decentralisation no matter how your organisation operates (because it might just improve things)
We would love your stories too, questions welcome
How to move towards decentralisation no matter how your organisation operates (because it might just improve things)
We would love your stories too, questions welcome
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Get the 25-book @oreilly.bsky.social @humblebundle.com to not only get my book, #CommunicationPatterns, but also @andrewhl.bsky.social's Facilitating Software Architecture & @dianamontalion.com's Learning Systems Thinking. This triad of books is what you need to boost your software!
jcq.me/hbswarch
jcq.me/hbswarch
September 3, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Get the 25-book @oreilly.bsky.social @humblebundle.com to not only get my book, #CommunicationPatterns, but also @andrewhl.bsky.social's Facilitating Software Architecture & @dianamontalion.com's Learning Systems Thinking. This triad of books is what you need to boost your software!
jcq.me/hbswarch
jcq.me/hbswarch
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
Time to talk about changing how we approach software architecture! Because, honestly, the usual ways often hold teams back and make things worse. But making the switch can be tough!
August 25, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Time to talk about changing how we approach software architecture! Because, honestly, the usual ways often hold teams back and make things worse. But making the switch can be tough!
Reposted by Andrew Harmel-Law
From bottleneck to facilitator: @andrewhl.bsky.social & @maritvandijk.bsky.social discuss transforming software architecture through collaborative decision-making
Breaking the Architecture Bottleneck • Andrew Harmel-Law & Marit van Dijk • GOTO 2025
This interview was recorded for GOTO Unscripted. #GOTOcon #GOTOunscripted
https://gotopia.tech
Read the full transcription of this interview here:
https://gotopia.tech/articles/392
Andrew…
youtu.be
August 25, 2025 at 12:02 PM
From bottleneck to facilitator: @andrewhl.bsky.social & @maritvandijk.bsky.social discuss transforming software architecture through collaborative decision-making