Useful Diagrams

How many of you have received a diagram like this? Every organization has them. It is impossible to understand how systems are interconnected or the general flow of the system. I always ask what the purpose of a diagram like this other than showing complexity. My three secrets to diagrams:

1. Draw diagrams with inputs on the left and outputs on the right. Key systems in the center and supporting infrastructure below. Secondary systems are on top. This layout matches how people process information.

2. Understand what the purpose of the diagram. Making a diagram serve too many purposes will make it too complicated. Start with a single purpose. You can expand the purpose with color or shading. Or creating a second diagram is way better than ruining the first diagram.

3. Some detail is unnecessary because it is inconsequential to the discussion. Focus on details that provide information that helps frame the discussion. The diagram does not have to be perfect, but you have to be able to explain why it is not there.

Diagrams are critical to building consensus between the business, architects, and developers. The wrong picture only checks off a box on a task list. The right picture can be truly worth a thousand words.

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