The Ultimate Architecture Diagram

I carry a small notebook with me at all times to jot down ideas, reminders, fragments of thoughts, or just doodle in my spare moments. Over the years I have filled up quite a few such notebooks.

Many of the items in them I can identify, some I cannot. They include drafts of messages to coworkers, a phrase or word I thought critical at the time, or notes for business presentations long since given and forgotten.

I was leafing through one of my notebooks the other day when I came across a curious diagram. I don't remember where or when I drew it, but looking at it now I am struck by its simplicity, its utter honesty and completeness.

Yes, there is stuff. And there is other stuff. Beyond that, very little matters.

The issue, from a business, technical, and/or personal perspective, is being able to separate the right "stuff" from everything else. There lies the rub. Maybe I captured that in another diagram, but I can't find that one at the moment...