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The Only Unbreakable Law

Molly Rocket · lecture · Watch on YouTube

Software architecture & designManagement, leadership & organizations

What it is

Casey Muratori's lecture, originally given at the Technical University of Madrid, arguing that Conway's Law is the only viable candidate for a true law of software architecture. He explains how software mimics the organization over time, using examples like Windows' multiple volume controls.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN treats it as the definitive explanation of Conway's Law and links it in almost any thread about org structure shaping software.

  • 12 people recommended it
  • 9 different months
  • 3 strong recommendations
  • first 2022, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “Some great examples in "Conway's Nightmare”

    Great examples, like Windows' five volume controls tracing to org dynamics.

    perrygeo, 2023-04 · Strong recommendation · in “Conway’s Law”

  2. “Casey Muratori has an excellent lecture on this same topic”

    In-depth lecture on why Conway's Law happens and practical meaning.

    fwlr, 2023-07 · Strong recommendation · in “The Most Powerful Law in Software”

  3. “I can't recommend this video essay by Casey Muratori enough”

    Video essay digging into Conway's law and its implications.

    krig, 2024-03 · Strong recommendation · in “Leaving LinkedIn”

  4. “do watch the talk for more context”

    Talk giving context on Conway's Law.

    dmitriid, 2022-03 · Recommendation · in “The Windows Shutdown crapfest (2006)”

  5. “I thought he covered it well.”

    Covers how software mimics every past version of the org over time.

    iamwil, 2022-03 · Recommendation · in “How do Committees Invent? (1968) [pdf]”

  6. “I also suggest watching Casey M. recent video”

    Explains how company organization shapes what you build and code structure.

    yes_but_no, 2022-03 · Recommendation · in “Tao of Node – Design, Architecture and Best Practices”

  7. “See also this amazing video about Conway's law”

    Amazing video explaining Conway's law.

    bambax, 2022-05 · Recommendation · in “Learnings from 5 years of tech startup code audits”

  8. “I remember seeing a great explanation of Conway's Law by Casey Muratori”

    Great explanation of Conway's Law; whole talk is good.

    molly0, 2023-04 · Recommendation · in “Conway’s Law”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: conway's law, software architecture, casey muratori, organizational design, windows ui

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