Sustainable Software Architecture: 3 Quick Wins
Sustainable Software Architecture: 3 Quick Wins
The Pillar of Profitability With a Predictive Resource Management
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Sustainable Software Architecture
Microservices, Docker, Kubernetes and Serverless have certainly transformed the game, injecting unparalleled reliability and scalability into the tech world. Yet, this brings us to a pivotal query: the hard cost management of software architecture on the downswing.
This is why an increasing number of organizations are evaluating the moving away from the cloud. Easy tooling has reduced complexity and facilitated adoption, yet projecting the overall long-term costs remains challenging.
Breaking Down Silos: The Role of Developers
A common scenario in many organizations is developers focused on features and target dates, often detached from the implications of how their code runs or the costs associated with it. This disconnect can lead to ineffective use of resources, inflated costs, and a larger environmental footprint than necessary.
Imagine a scenario where developers design with awareness of the energy consumption and cost implications of their code. This awareness could lead to more efficient coding practices, such as optimizing algorithms for better performance or choosing more energy-efficient software patterns (there's no need for fast queries or indexes with XXXL Postgres instances)
Is this science fiction? No. Netflix's commitment to optimizing its content delivery network not only enhances user experience but also significantly reduces bandwidth consumption. This is directly tied to cost savings and environmental sustainability
Netflix invested over $1 billion in developing Open Connect, their own content delivery network, which they offer for free to ISPs.
The Misconception of DevOps Teams
The introduction of DevOps teams in organizations was a game changer, fostering better collaboration between development and operations. However, relegating the responsibility of monitoring resource usage (size, reservations) solely to the DevOps team misses the mark. Sustainable software architecture necessitates a collective effort.
Consider how Spotify uses its GCP’s BigQuery to monitor and optimize data storage and processing costs. This is not just a task for the DevOps team but a company-wide strategy that includes developers understanding the cost implications of their data handling practices.
Quick Wins for a Sustainable Mindset
Adopting a sustainable software architecture isn't about making drastic changes overnight but about integrating cost and resource effectiveness into the development lifecycle. This includes:
Sustainability by Design: Encouraging a mindset shift towards building software with sustainability as a core principle, not an afterthought.
Example: Rewriting a product recommendation algorithm to run 30% faster, thereby reducing CPU usage and energy consumption.Cost Visibility: Making cost data accessible to developers enables them to understand the financial impact of their coding decisions. Maintain a dashboard displaying monthly costs for each DX tool, such as AWS, Datadog, Sentry, CircleCI, etc.
Predictive Management: Adopting a forward-thinking approach by using predictive analytics to manage resources efficiently. Transition to a model where resources are not just allocated based on current needs (classic traffic demand) but are predictive, ensuring high availability during critical moments and conservation when possible.
In Conclusion
Embarking on a journey to sustainable software architecture is a team effort. It's about changing our view of tech from just tools to a vital piece of our world, blending business needs with care for the environment. When we make sustainability a core part of building software, we're not just aiming for profit. We're setting up for breakthroughs that go hand in hand with making the Earth a better place.
Small steps for a big impact.
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See you next week! Best, Alex Di Mango