Date Created: November 7, 2024
Prepared By: Paul Smith

Introduction to Design Standards

Welcome to the Design Standards Training! This material will provide an overview of our organization’s design standards, including their purpose, scope, and the benefits of consistent implementation across all teams. By the end of this session, you will understand how to apply these standards in your work and how to request changes when necessary.

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Objectives

1. Understand the Purpose: Learn why design standards are important and how they align with our organizational goals.
2. Know the Key Areas: Familiarize yourself with the main areas covered by the design standards, including coding, architecture, security, and operations.
3. Learn the Processes: Understand the mechanisms for updating standards and how to request changes or exceptions.
4. Adopt and Implement: Discover best practices for integrating design standards into your daily workflow.

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Section 1: Purpose of Design Standards

• Promote Consistency: Ensures that all projects maintain a consistent approach, reducing variability and increasing quality.
• Enhance Collaboration: Facilitates better communication and cooperation across teams by providing a shared set of guidelines.
• Improve Quality: Increases the reliability and efficiency of deliverables by adhering to proven practices.
• Support Innovation: Provides a structured way to propose and implement new ideas without compromising overall standards.

Key Takeaway:

Design standards ensure that everyone is aligned, contributing to a cohesive and high-quality output across all projects.

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Section 2: Key Areas of Design Standards

1. Coding Practices:
   • Follow language-specific guidelines for code structure, naming conventions, and documentation.
   • Use version control systems (e.g., AWS CodeCommit) to manage and track changes.
2. Architectural Guidelines:
   • Ensure that solutions are scalable, maintainable, and aligned with our architecture principles.
   • Design microservices with well-defined APIs and follow service-level agreements.
3. Security:
   • Implement secure coding practices, such as input validation and proper data encryption.
   • Regularly update and patch systems to minimize vulnerabilities.
4. Operational Requirements:
   • Establish robust monitoring and logging practices for operational efficiency.
   • Automate deployment processes to reduce errors and improve consistency.

Key Takeaway:

Adhering to these areas minimizes risks, enhances performance, and ensures system resilience.

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Section 3: Keeping Standards Up-to-Date

• Review Frequency: Standards are reviewed quarterly or as needed based on emerging trends and internal feedback.
• Update Process:
  • Architects and team leads participate in review sessions to propose updates.
  • The Standards Governance Committee evaluates and approves changes.
• Staying Current: Leverage the latest technologies and industry best practices to maintain a competitive advantage.

Key Takeaway:

Regular updates keep standards relevant and aligned with evolving technology landscapes.

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Section 4: Mechanism for Change Requests

• When to Request a Change: If a standard limits your ability to innovate or meet specific project needs, submit a change request.
• Change Request Process:
  1. Complete the Change Request Form with a detailed explanation.
  2. Submit the request to the Standards Governance Committee.
  3. Review and feedback will be provided within a designated timeframe.
• Exception Requests: For urgent situations, exception requests can be fast-tracked for review.

Key Takeaway:

Our process ensures flexibility while maintaining overall project integrity.

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Section 5: Implementation and Adoption

1. Training and Awareness: Attend regular training sessions to stay informed about the latest standards and updates.
2. Documentation Access: All design standards are available on AWS WorkDocs and AWS CodeCommit for easy access.
3. Continuous Improvement: Provide feedback on standards to contribute to our culture of continuous improvement.

Best Practices:

• Integrate standards into your daily workflow.
• Use the provided documentation as a reference guide.
• Participate actively in training and feedback sessions.

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FAQ

1. Where can I find the design standards documentation?
   • All documentation is hosted on AWS WorkDocs and AWS CodeCommit.
2. How do I submit a change request?
   • Fill out the Change Request Form and submit it to the Standards Governance Committee for review.
3. What if I have questions or need help?
   • Contact your Team Lead or the Standards Governance Committee for guidance.

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Conclusion

Thank you for participating in the Design Standards Training. By adhering to these guidelines, you contribute to a high-quality, consistent, and innovative development environment. Remember, your input is valuable—help us keep improving by providing feedback and suggestions!

End of Training Material