Discovering the Architecture Middle Path

In this episode, Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana and Asanka Abeysinghe are joined by WSO2 Chief AI Officer Rania Khalaf to discuss what the agentic enterprise really means. The conversation looks beyond AI pilots and explores the architectural foundations needed to make agents practical at enterprise scale. Topics include agents as first-class actors, the platform capabilities required to support them, an...

In this episode, Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana and Asanka Abeysinghe demystify what “agents” really are and why architects should care. They walk through core concepts and terminology—agents, agent loops, prompts, context, memory, RAG, tools, MCP, and skills—and discuss how agents observe, act, and evaluate. The conversation compares agents to traditional systems, explores where agents fit in modern arc...

In this episode, hosts Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana and Asanka Abeysinghe explore the lost art of deep work and why it is critical for architects. They discuss how constant interruptions, shallow work, and overreliance on AI shortcuts can undermine clear thinking and architectural quality. The conversation focuses on creating space for focused thinking, applying first principles, and how architects and...

In this special live podcast episode, Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana and Asanka Abeysinghe sit down with Selyna Peiris (Director and Chief Growth Officer, Selyn Group) and Miguel Cuñat (Founder, The Pekoe Trail). They explore how brands are built—through people, vision, and purpose. The conversation delves into personal and product branding, offering a fresh perspective on why brand awareness is crucial...

In this live episode, recorded at WSO2Con Europe 2025, hosts Sanjiva and Asanka are joined by Jeremy Schneider , Senior Partner & Co-Head of Global Software & High-Tech Practice at McKinsey & Company, to explore the challenges and opportunities of platformless modernization and the cultural transformation required for organizations to become software-driven. They discuss the importance...

In this episode, Sanjiva and Asanka dive into the role of architects in modern enterprises, exploring their responsibilities, influence, and evolving scope. They discuss the different types of architects—enterprise, solution, software, and platform architects—their impact on technology strategy, and how they collaborate. The conversation also covers how architects balance governance with agility,...

In this episode, hosts Sanjiva and Asanka are joined by special guest Daniel Bryant to explore the evolving practice of platform engineering through the lens of software architecture. They discuss why platform engineering should have a product mindset with developers as its primary customers, how platform and software architectures are symbiotic, and why good APIs, abstractions, and automation are...

In this episode, Sanjiva and Asanka explore the power of first principle thinking and why it’s a must-have approach for architects. They break down how this method helps tackle complex problems by focusing on fundamental truths rather than relying on assumptions or best practices. From root cause analysis to iterative refinement, they discuss how architects can apply first principles to design inn...

In this episode, Sanjiva and Asanka explore the evolving landscape of digital modernization. They discuss how modernization is not a one-time project but an ongoing journey, transitioning from digital transformation to digital modernization. The conversation delves into various modernization styles, such as rehosting, replatforming, rebuilding, and replacing, and addresses challenges like cost, sk...

In this special edition episode, hosts Sanjiva and Asanka are joined by special guest Paul for an in-person recording in the studio. Sanjiva leads the discussion while Paul and Asanka, co-authors of the cell-based architecture, share their insights and experiences. Together, they explore the core principles of cell-based architecture, its practical applications, and how it reshapes modern software...

In this episode, hosts Sanjiva and Asanka are excited to have Christian Posta, a Service Mesh expert and Global Field CTO at Solo.io, join them. Together, they will explore the question: Is full lifecycle API management dead? They will discuss Christian’s article and the evolving landscape of API management. The conversation will also cover the Platformless manifesto and the important role of Inte...

Sanjiva and Asanka welcome Gregor Hohpe and Frank Leymann to explore the modern landscape of platforms. This episode explores the strategic value of platforms, their role in creating platforms, and key architectural principles. Learn about the importance of APIs, cloud native middleware, and developer experience (DX), along with operational considerations like governance and CI/CD. They’ll explore...

We dive deep into the next evolution following our platformless discussion. Discover the essence of the Business Service Platform – the crucial glue connecting technology platforms with digital experiences. Learn about Business SDKs and the path to achieving a robust platform, emphasizing technology as the backbone, modularity, and APIs, events, and data integrations. We also cover Domain-Driven D...

Join us for a new episode where Sanjiva and Asanka, two contributors to the platformless manifesto, discuss the concept of platformless in enterprise software engineering. They explain the origin and teamwork behind platformless, walking viewers through its key principles and four main technology pillars: API-first, cloud native middleware, platform engineering, and developer experience. Whether y...

In this episode, hosts Sanjiva and Asanka delve into the intricate world of enterprise software engineering, sharing insights gained from their extensive experience working with large enterprises. Join them as they explore the challenges of integrating large systems like CRMs and ERP in digital business transformation, discussing data integration, the impact on organizational culture, and future t...

In this episode we delve deep into the critical issues architects face when building platforms. Tackling everything from hidden opportunity costs to the illusion of completeness, we provide an architect's perspective on why platform projects often fail. Don't miss our insights on managing complexity, running a lean team, and the financial pitfalls to avoid. Tune in to uncover the nuances t...

Join us for another episode of the ‘Discovering the Architecture Middle Path’ podcast. In this episode, our hosts Sanjiva and Asanka explore platform engineering, breaking down the buzz around platforms and delving into the architectural aspects that make them strong and scalable. Drawing from their hands-on experience, they discuss the relationship between architecture and engineering within plat...

In this episode, we explore the complex interplay between APIs and Services, including their distinct versions and life cycles. We clarify the differences between managed or business APIs and service endpoints. The discussion also touches on domain, experience, and utility APIs, direction-based communication, gateway necessities, and the use of eBPF+MTLS as a minimal observer without a sidecar. Jo...

In this episode, hosts Sanjiva and Asanka dive into the technical intricacies of pragmatic application architecture. Join them as they explore microservices, miniservices, and monolithic architectures, examining their real-world applications and organizational impacts. Discover how these architectural patterns influence the design and structuring of business domains. Take a technical deep-dive int...

In the first episode of the "Discovering the Architecture Middlepath" podcast, Sanjiva and Asanka explore the power of abstractions in software systems, how they simplify complex concepts, and how they change the way we build and understand technology. This episode delves into historical examples such as abstract data types, relational databases, and Kubernetes, showcasing their transfor...