How often should System Architects engage in technical discussions with teams?

System Architects should engage in technical discussions with teams continuously throughout the development process to ensure alignment, provide guidance, and address any emerging technical challenges or changes in project requirements. This ongoing interaction is vital because it fosters collaboration, allows for timely feedback, facilitates the integration of architectural concerns into development activities, and helps maintain architectural integrity within the evolving context of the project.

Continuous engagement encourages a culture of shared understanding among architects and development teams, allowing architects to better understand the teams' realities, adapt to evolving architecture needs, and make informed decisions that support both short-term deliverables and long-term goals. This approach enhances the quality of the product being developed and promotes agility within the teams.

In contrast, engaging only at the beginning of each project, during monthly project reviews, or solely within sprint planning sessions limits the effectiveness of architectural oversight and could lead to misalignment or unresolved issues as development progresses. Continuous communication helps preemptively address potential problems before they escalate into significant roadblocks.