Requirements Are Not Marching Orders: Read Them Like an Architect
Salesforce, Thursday, August 20th, 2026
Salesforce argues architects should decompose requirements into why, what and how rather than implementing them literally.
Salesforce argues that architects are hired for technical judgment, but the moments determining whether a project succeeds are often not technical.
Success can depend on whether a stakeholder trusts the architect enough to hear that there is something better than what they asked for without feeling dismissed.
The article recommends breaking requirements into why, what and how before designing anything. Separating the underlying need from the proposed solution is what makes an alternative approach discussable. It then covers turning stakeholder needs into a clear architectural approach.