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Software Architecture: After Infatuation Comes the Shock

June 29, 2026

Latest Posts

SME Software Development February 23, 2024

Challenges in SMEs Are Similar

Hi, Currently, I am writing a new article for Golem.de. In this context, I have been reflecting on the similarities in software development in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The German Federal Statistical Office defines SMEs as companies with 10 to 250 employees and a turnover of less than 50 million euros. At first glance, this range seems very wide. Intuitively, one would expect the challenges and solutions to be very different as a result. And to some extent, this is true. However, this does not align with my experience over the last 15 years, during which I have worked exclusively in SMEs. On closer inspection, it turns out that the number of developers is not that different after all.

Marcus Held

Development Practice February 21, 2024

Three Topics

Hi, This year, I’m a bit behind with the newsletters. For one, I’m deeply involved in client projects – and the client always comes first. Additionally, since the beginning of the year, I’ve been battling pneumonia. It only started to improve this week. The symptoms were mild - after all, I continued to work - but I noticed a lack of energy for tasks beyond my duties. To get back into the swing of things: Today, I have three short topics for you.

Marcus Held

SME Software Development February 8, 2024

The #1 Problem in SMEs

Hi, As written on Monday : Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have no problem with performance. However, that’s not entirely true. Over the past few years, I’ve worked on many products that were slow. Improving performance would have been positive for the business. In certain areas, like the gaming industry, it was inevitable to be performant. Retention is one of the most important metrics in the industry. But that’s the exception, not the rule.

Marcus Held

SME Software Development February 5, 2024

I Never Sold The Performance Workshop

Hi, I haven’t sold my Spring Performance Workshop even once. Instead, I sold my Architecture Discovery Workshop four times . In 6 months. And I don’t even promote it 🤷 What does this mean for me? My positioning as a performance expert has failed. But not because I can’t deliver. There’s simply no demand from my customers. In hindsight, it makes sense. But let me explain: Ever since I’ve been developing software, I’ve been working in small and medium-sized enterprises, known as SMEs. These companies have between 5 and 50 developers, occasionally a few more.

Marcus Held

SME Software Development February 2, 2024

The VPN Paradox

Hi, Especially in software development, many people work who are particularly good at abstraction and objective consideration of problems and questions. It’s in the nature of the thing. It’s our job to thoroughly understand a problem in detail. And the solutions always require weighing the pros and cons. But there are always problems and habits that have become entrenched in our industry that, objectively viewed, make no sense. Our use of VPNs is ambivalent

Marcus Held