Architecture Failure Diagnostic
A diagnostic framework for recognizing characteristic failure patterns of centralized, distributed, and hybrid architectures, enabling early intervention before problems escalate.
A diagnostic framework for recognizing characteristic failure patterns of centralized, distributed, and hybrid architectures, enabling early intervention before problems escalate.
When to Use Architecture Failure Diagnostic
When experiencing organizational problems that may stem from architectural misfit, or proactively monitoring for early warning signs of architectural dysfunction.
How to Apply
Diagnose Centralized Failure Modes
Check for bottleneck at center, loss of local context, innovation suppression, slow adaptation, and single point of failure vulnerability.
Questions to Ask
- Are decision queues growing?
- Are local managers frustrated?
- Is innovation declining?
- Are competitors moving faster?
Diagnose Distributed Failure Modes
Check for coordination breakdown, strategic fragmentation, duplication and inefficiency, inconsistent quality, knowledge siloing, and capability fragmentation.
Questions to Ask
- Are units working at cross-purposes?
- Is there strategic coherence?
- Is effort being duplicated?
- Does quality vary dramatically?
Diagnose Hybrid Failure Modes
Check for ambiguous decision rights, excessive coordination overhead, and worst-of-both-worlds outcomes.
Questions to Ask
- Are there constant conflicts over authority?
- Is meeting hell consuming productivity?
- Are you capturing neither centralization nor distribution benefits?
Monitor Early Warning Signals
Track quantitative signals (decision latency, engagement scores, satisfaction divergence, cost drift, innovation decline) and qualitative signals (workarounds, exceptions, debates, blame, retention issues).