A few things we've written

Ideas and trends from system architecture, design, and documentation.

More Articles

C4 Model vs UML: Which Should Your Team Actually Use?

UML has 14 diagram types. Most teams use two or three. The C4 model offers a pragmatic alternative: four levels of abstraction that developers actually want to maintain.

Jan 30, 2026

Modeling vs Diagramming: Why the Best Teams Do Both

Pure modeling fails because nobody uses it. Pure diagramming fails because it turns into chaos. The teams that get architecture documentation right find the balance — diagram-first, model-backed.

Jan 30, 2026

The Software Architecture Documentation Tool Your Team Will Actually Use

Most architecture documentation dies within weeks. The problem isn't discipline. It's tools built for a world that doesn't exist anymore. Here's what modern teams actually need.

Jan 30, 2026

C4 Model Use Cases: The Missing Layer Your Diagrams Need

Your C4 diagrams show what exists. But they don't show how it's used. Here's how to layer use cases on top of your architecture to answer the questions that actually matter.

Jan 29, 2026

How to Document Azure Solutions — The Efficient Way

Azure environments grow fast — and traditional documentation can't keep up. Learn how to document your Azure solutions efficiently with diagrams that stay accurate, automated, and always in sync with your real environment.

Oct 16, 2025

C4 Model: Practical Tips and Examples for Software Architecture

C4 model tips and examples from real teams. Learn how to create Context, Container, and Component diagrams that actually get maintained - with practical guidance on what belongs at each level.

Aug 14, 2025

Enterprise Architecture Tools Are Overkill — Here's a Lightweight Alternative

Tired of bloated enterprise architecture tools? Discover why modern teams are switching to lightweight, C4-based modeling tools like Revision to stay agile, collaborative, and clear.

Jul 07, 2025

Why Dependencies Are the Hardest Part of Documenting Large Architectures

The bigger your system gets, the harder it is to know what connects to what. Here's why dependencies stay invisible until something breaks — and how to make them explicit before that happens.

Jun 19, 2025

Keep Your Architecture Diagrams and Documentation Up to Date with Revision API Automation

Learn how to automate software architecture documentation by syncing real infrastructure with your architecture modeling tool using the Revision API.

Jun 17, 2025

Fundamentals of System Integration

A vendor-agnostic article that explains the fundamentals of system integration, commonly used building blocks and patterns.

Nov 06, 2024

Top Icon Resources for Diagrams: Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, and More

Need icons for your cloud architecture or software diagrams? These resources offer the latest Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud icons, and more—saving you time and ensuring your visuals are always up-to-date.

Sep 25, 2024

3 Options for Using Software Diagrams in Azure DevOps: The Pros and Cons

Explore three different approaches to using software diagrams in Azure DevOps. Covers "diagram as code" with Mermaid, importing diagrams, and integrating always up-to-date diagrams from Revision.

Aug 26, 2024

From Good to Great: Small Details That Improve Your C4 Model Diagrams

Enhance your C4 model diagrams with simple tips to improve clarity and effectiveness. Learn how to create, document, and share software architecture diagrams efficiently using best practices.

Jul 23, 2024

Rethinking System Architecture Diagrams: Moving Past PowerPoint

PowerPoint is everyone's first architecture tool — until you realize your diagrams are outdated, inconsistent, and impossible to maintain. Here's why specialized tools exist, and when it's time to move on.

May 12, 2024

Document Your Architecture Like a Professional

Product

Resources