Architecture Strategy and Related Teams

The Architecture Strategy team is one of many aimed at software and IT architects. Headed by Adam Denning (and shown at bottom left), the Architecture Strategy team does pilot design projects, evaluates new technologies, and sets overall technical direction for guidance aimed at software and IT architects. It also indirectly supervises approximately 100 architect advisors (also called architect evangelists) who report to regional directors of Developer & Platform Evangelism (such as Robert Suess in the eastern United States, shown here).

Technical direction is set in part by the experience of Microsoft’s own IT organization and consulting arms (which both report to Vice President Rick Devenuti), as well as by Microsoft partners. Architectural guidance for customers and partners is produced by the Patterns and Practices organization headed by General Manager Michael Kropp, with additional input and content contributions from partners. Bill Gates’s architecture division sets architectural direction for Microsoft’s own software products, in part through regular reviews of product designs.