Too often, architectural decisions are made in isolation, postponed until they constrain future work, or simply ignored--often resulting in a sub-optimal architecture. This talk explores a framework consisting of six conversations that surface architectural decisions as they become relevant, equipping teams to make deliberate, auditable choices at the right moments. The framework centers on 6 "Critical-Cs": Context, Coordination, Contracts, Chaos, Competencies, and Coalescence, and guides teams in evaluating whether microservices fit the project, or if a modular monolith might serve the project better.

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Barry S. Stahl is a seasoned enterprise engineer and internationally recognized technical speaker with over three decades of experience in software development. He has delivered hundreds of sessions at premier conferences and user groups across North America, Europe, and Australia, including NDC Oslo, NDC Sydney, Craft Conference Budapest, Techorama Netherlands, and ConFoo Montreal. Barry’s engaging presentations span a wide range of topics—from microservices and software architecture to artificial intelligence and optimization algorithms—often featuring hands-on demos and real-world applications. His workshops and keynotes consistently draw enthusiastic audiences, and his reputation for clarity, depth, and practical insight has made him a sought-after speaker in both in-person and virtual formats. A curated selection of his past presentations is available on this [YouTube playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCo2TFzFXPTQ5qIZTbbzFNcJL348fl6uO), showcasing his dynamic delivery and technical expertise.