SPA Conference session: Implications of Conway's Law

One-line description:How do we adapt communication to improve system design?
 
Session format: Goldfish Bowl / Park Bench [read about the different session types]
 
Abstract:Conway's Law is a simple statement "Any organization that designs a system (defined broadly) will produce a design whose structure is a copy of the organization's communication structure." Come to this session to reflect on the implications of Conway's Law for software development.

We'd like to explore ideas on how we should organise software developers working on a large code base and what ways can we adapt communications within and between teams to improve system design.
 
Audience background:Anyone who is interested in the idea that we may be able to improve system design by paying attention to our communication patterns and practices.
 
Benefits of participating:Come away with ideas to try in teams and organisations that you work with.
 
Materials provided:A couple of slides to introduce the topic and session format. Index cards for gathering seed questions.
 
Process:Start with some introductory slides and then introduce the session format so everyone knows how to participate. We'll invite everyone in the session to jot down their questions and then start the bowl up. The presenters will moderate discussion and scribe key points on flipchart as we go.
 
Detailed timetable:Not sure of the time allotted to Goldfish Bowl sessions?
 
Outputs:Write up on SPA wiki.
 
History:Run as an open discussion at Agile Coach Camp Barcelona in 2013 - see blog for write-up
http://agilecoach.typepad.com/agile-coaching/2014/01/implications-of-conways-law.html
 
Presenters
1. Rachel Davies
Unruly Media
2. Dadi Ingolfsson
Sprettur
3.