Architecture Alignment
Our architecture is holding us back
Your product vision is clear, but the technical reality keeps getting in the way. Or worse: architecture decisions are being made without understanding their product impact. Let's get product and tech working together, not against each other.
The Challenge
You’re caught in a frustrating loop. Product wants to move fast, but every feature takes longer than expected. Engineering says the architecture “wasn’t built for this.” Meanwhile, technical decisions are being made that will shape your product for years — often without product input.
Product and architecture are out of sync.
Maybe you’ve accumulated technical debt that’s now slowing everything down. Maybe your architecture was designed for a different scale or a different problem. Maybe product and engineering speak different languages and can’t find common ground.
The result? Missed opportunities, frustrated teams, and a growing gap between what would bring you success and what you can actually ship.
You might be thinking...
What People Say
"Toon brings deep knowledge and hands-on experience that command respect, both technically and organisationally. His insights and proactive approach allowed us to address critical challenges, gradually improving our structure and workflow. His ability to focus on what truly matters, coupled with his open communication and thoughtful suggestions, made our collaboration highly effective."
"I wouldn't hesitate to work with him again!"
Hans Van Winckel
Managing Director 4411 (Be-Mobile)
"Toon's dedication to growth and openness to diverse perspectives cultivated a vibrant and trusting workspace at Skryv, where we explored new ideas and continuously improved in a shared journey. His approach stimulated my self-confidence and showed me the delicate balance between customer satisfaction and steadfast values."
"An Enriching Experience!"
Matteo Pierro
Senior Software Craftsperson (Wemanity, Skryv, Visma, ...)
My Approach
I bring 20+ years of software engineering and 10+ years of product leadership. I speak both languages fluently — and I help teams find the architecture that serves the product, not the other way around.
Clarity
Assessment · Days
We map the current state: where architecture and product are aligned, and where they're working against each other. I talk to both product and engineering, identify the friction points, and surface the assumptions that are driving decisions on both sides.
Expect: A clear picture of alignment gaps, the root causes of friction, and prioritised opportunities for improvement.
Focus
Alignment Sprints · Weeks
We tackle the highest-impact misalignments. This might mean facilitating hard conversations, redesigning interfaces between teams, or helping make architecture decisions that explicitly consider product trajectory. We create shared language and shared understanding.
Expect: Concrete architecture decisions that serve product goals, improved collaboration patterns, and a shared roadmap for technical evolution.
Momentum
Optional · Months
For deeper transformations, I can help embed new ways of working. This includes coaching technical leaders on product thinking, helping product leaders understand technical constraints, and establishing ongoing alignment practices.
Expect: Sustainable collaboration patterns, technical leaders who think product, product leaders who understand architecture, and teams that make better decisions together.
What You Get
Alignment Assessment
A clear map of where product and architecture are in sync — and where they're creating friction.
Shared Language
Product and engineering teams that can actually communicate about trade-offs and constraints.
Architecture Decisions
Technical choices made with explicit understanding of product impact and trajectory.
Reduced Friction
Features that ship faster because the architecture supports rather than fights the product direction.
Technical Debt Strategy
A prioritised approach to paying down debt that matters, not just debt that's visible.
Collaboration Patterns
Sustainable practices for keeping product and architecture aligned as you evolve.
Who This Is For
This is for you if...
- ✓ Product and engineering feel like they're working against each other
- ✓ Technical debt is slowing down your product velocity
- ✓ You're planning a major product evolution and need architecture to support it
- ✓ Architecture decisions are being made without product input (or vice versa)
- ✓ You want someone who speaks both languages to bridge the gap
This is NOT for you if...
- You're looking for a pure technical architect who ignores product reality
- You want to blame engineering for product problems (or vice versa)
- You're not willing to have honest conversations across the product-tech divide
- You expect a quick fix without changing how teams work together
Read More
Monolith Modernisation, Part 1: A Dysfunctional Monolith
How a dysfunctional monolith originates, which organizational aspects play a role, and high-level strategies to escape.
The GOTH Chronicles: Introducing Hexagonal Architecture
Discover how Hexagonal Architecture (Ports and Adapters) helps you write cleaner code. With diagrams and Go examples.
Test-Driven Business Modelling for Product Success
Discover how TDD principles applied at business level can prevent expensive failures and accelerate learning.
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Ready for an honest conversation?
I offer a free expert session around this topic.
No pitch, no pressure. Just an honest look at where you are,
with relevant advice for next steps — with or without me.
Free Expert Session
Up to 3 hours · Honest assessment · No commitment