Four architecture-theatre warning signs and the cure that returns each to a decision Theatre is architecture activity that produces an artefact but no decision, and each of these four artefacts turns from warning to cure the same way: bind it to a named decision, a named owner and a review date rather than let it sit unread.
Four architecture-theatre warning signs and the cure that returns each to a decision
A 2x2 grid compares four business-architecture artefacts, each in two states, a soft amber theatre warning on top and a soft green cure below. Top row: diagram count, warning, diagrams made for their own sake, cure, one diagram per decision; stakeholder map, warning, the map is built but no stakeholder interviewed, cure, one named interview per stakeholder, quoted. Bottom row: capability heatmap, warning, heat colours never change the roadmap, cure, every hot cell links to a roadmap entry with an owner; principles document, warning, principles written but never tested, cure, every principle has a waiver log and a review date. A two-state legend reads the amber and green fills.
Theatre Real work Sign 1 Diagram count Warning Diagrams are produced for their own sake, one per topic or page. Cure One diagram per decision. Not per topic, not per page. Sign 2 Stakeholder map Warning The map is built but no stakeholder has been interviewed. Cure One named interview per stakeholder, quoted in the record. Theatre Real work Sign 3 Capability heatmap Warning Heat colours never produce a change to the roadmap. Cure Every hot cell links to a roadmap entry with a named owner. Sign 4 Principles document Warning Principles are written and never tested or waivered. Cure Every principle has a waiver log and a review date. Warning: artefact without a decision Cure: artefact tied to a decision
