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The Architect’s Dilemma: Control vs Convenience
Few decisions challenge software architects more than choosing between control and convenience. Should you host PostgreSQL on EC2 for full control, use Amazon RDS for managed simplicity, or opt for Aurora DSQL for serverless scalability? Each path involves trade-offs around cost, speed, expertise, and risk. This session examines real-world architectural scenarios to show how to evaluate these choices systematically.
Through practical examples, attendees will learn how to map business needs to technical decisions, balance short-term delivery with long-term flexibility, and assess the true total cost of ownership beyond cloud provider bills. The session also discusses how to align technology choices with team skills, compliance requirements, and business priorities. Ultimately, it encourages architects to focus on delivering value rather than pursuing complexity for its own sake.
What You Will Learn
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How to evaluate control, convenience, and cost when making architectural decisions
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Methods to balance delivery speed, flexibility, and long-term sustainability
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How to identify hidden constraints and avoid over-engineering while meeting real business needs
Who Should Attend
Software architects, engineering managers, and senior developers involved in architectural decision-making and evaluating trade-offs between managed and self-managed systems.
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About the speaker
Mandeep Singh
Lead Software Engineer, Kyndryl
Mandeep Singh is an author, educator and software engineer with a strong passion for building simple, scalable systems. A graduate from the Army Institute of Technology, he has held various engineering roles at Amazon, Jupiter, and Kyndryl. His experience spans multiple domains, including cloud infrastructure modernisation, e-commerce logistics and compliance, and payment systems.
He supports the learning and development of others by sharing lessons on Cloud and System Design YouTube. He also recently published a book with O'Reilly - "System Design on AWS" with focus on designing scalable, resilient, and cost-efficient architectures on AWS. Outside of work, he enjoys morning runs, weight lifting, cooking, and spending time with his family in the serene ambience of his hometown.
