Architectural Reviews
Comprehensive review of your system architecture, code structure, and technical decisions with actionable recommendations.
Architecture Advisory
De-risk critical architecture decisions with on-demand senior advice. Get peer-level technical depth for complex systems, AI adoption strategies, and architectural reviews, without hiring a full-time architect.
Fractional CTO services, technology development, and strategic guidance
Signs you need architecture advisory
Architecture advisory is right for you when:
- You're facing a major platform migration and need to de-risk the approach
- You're scaling rapidly and current architecture is showing strain
- You're evaluating AI adoption and need pragmatic, evidence-based guidance
- You're making build vs. buy decisions with long-term implications
- You need independent validation before a board presentation or investment round
- Your team needs peer-level sparring, not generic consultant advice
SoftWeb Development
How we can help
You're facing a complex architectural decision and need someone to pressure-test your thinking. You need peer-level depth, not generic advice. Someone who's built authorisation systems, designed domain models, and navigated the trade-offs between pragmatism and perfection.
Architecture advisory provides on-demand access to senior technical expertise. Whether you're evaluating a major platform migration, designing a new system, or assessing AI adoption opportunities, you get experienced architectural guidance when you need it.
This isn't consulting theatre. It's hands-on review of your code, architecture diagrams, and technical strategy, with concrete recommendations based on real-world experience, not theoretical ideals.
Architecture advisory engagements are flexible and focused on your specific needs:
AI Adoption Strategy
Practical guidance on where AI can accelerate your delivery and where it introduces risk.
Migration Planning
Roadmap legacy system migrations without business disruption.
Technical Decision Support
On-demand sparring for critical technical decisions.
Vendor & Technology Evaluation
Independent assessment of vendor claims and technology choices.
Our commitment
Why choose us
I've built complex systems and made architectural decisions that lived with teams for years. I know the difference between architecture that enables change and architecture that becomes a cage.
My architectural approach is pragmatic. I'll advocate for boring, proven patterns over novel approaches when that's what your system needs. I'll identify where AI can genuinely accelerate your delivery, and where it introduces unnecessary risk or complexity.
Advisory sessions are collaborative, not prescriptive. I ask hard questions about your constraints, challenge assumptions, and help you see the second-order effects of technical decisions.
Architecture Advisory in action
See how we've applied this service to help clients achieve their goals
ED
Insurance & Benefits Solutions
Event-Driven Document Generation for Enterprise Benefits Platform
A pioneering benefits platform serving major UK employers needed to consolidate scattered manual processes. We designed event-driven architecture using BizTalk that automated document generation and distribution.
Read case study →RP
Travel & Logistics Solutions
Reducing Page Load Times from 30 Seconds to 3 Seconds Through Strategic Caching
An airline logistics platform had 12-30 second page loads. Through performance investigation and strategic caching, we reduced this to 2-3 seconds while documenting a roadmap for deeper fixes.
Read case study →BP
Sustainability & GreenTech Solutions
Building Product Aggregation Infrastructure for Sustainability Comparison
An Innovate UK-funded startup needed to aggregate product data from multiple e-commerce sites. We built scraping infrastructure handling both traditional and SPA-based retailers.
Read case study →What our clients say
Working with Michael was an absolute pleasure. He was the border between the developers and the business and always managed to handle both sides' expectations and took the stress of the business on to himself to give the developers enough room to do amazing work. A great developer as well. Always a laugh, great personality, light hearted and I would definitely work with him again at a moment's notice.
Michael doesn't just tackle challenges; he approaches them with a no-nonsense attitude, cutting through complexities with a level of precision that's truly impressive. His ability to break down intricate problems and come up with elegant solutions is not only commendable but also a testament to his exceptional problem-solving skills.
Architecture Advisory FAQs
What is architecture advisory and when do I need it?
Architecture advisory provides on-demand access to senior architectural expertise for critical technical decisions. You need it when planning major system changes, evaluating technology choices, or when your team needs peer-level validation.
How is architecture advisory different from hiring a contractor or consultant?
Architecture advisory is peer-level guidance, not just implementation. You get strategic architectural advice, pattern recommendations, risk assessment, and validation from someone with over a decade of CTO and architect experience.
Can you help us adopt AI-augmented development practices?
Yes. I provide practical, evidence-based guidance on AI adoption. My approach is grounded in real production experience and research-backed understanding of AI limitations.
What architectural challenges do you typically help with?
Common challenges include microservices vs monolith decisions, legacy modernisation strategies, authorisation and security architecture, API design, and scaling strategies.
How do architecture advisory engagements typically work?
Engagements can be project-based (5-10 days) or ongoing retainer. Both models complement your team's existing capabilities without creating dependencies.
What are your rates?
I work on a day rate of £800-1,000 per day, structured as scoped project engagements or ongoing retainers.
Ready to get started with Architecture Advisory?
Let's discuss how we can help your business.