Serverless, Clean Code, and Data-Driven Development | Architecting Manchester September Recap

By Joe Parker.

After a summer break, Architecting Manchester came back with a bang last night, and I’m still buzzing from the energy in the room. It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces, as well as plenty of newcomers, all eager to dive into discussions around serverless architecture, clean code, and data-driven development.

We had two incredible speakers lined up for the evening: Greg Farrow, Global Architecture Practice Lead at City Electrical Factors, and Thomas Inman, Technical Lead at Auto Trader UK. Both delivered insightful talks that sparked some deep discussions on modern software development practices.

Clean Code in a Serverless World – Greg Farrow

Greg kicked off the evening with a talk on "Clean Code in a Serverless Project." What really stood out to me was his observation that, while serverless projects often start simple, they can quickly grow into complex beasts. Greg walked us through how applying Hexagonal Architecture and Clean Code principles can prevent serverless microservices from becoming bloated and difficult to manage.

He shared a real-world example that demonstrated how these architectural strategies can keep code clean, scalable, and easy to maintain. As someone who’s experienced the messiness that can arise in serverless environments, Greg’s emphasis on planning for simplicity early on really hit home for me.

Embedding Data Thinking in Development – Thomas Inman

Next up was Thomas Inman, who presented on "Embedding Data Thinking in Development Teams." At AutoTrader, data is at the heart of everything they do, especially when they embarked on their large-scale online car buying journey.

One of my key takeaways from Thomas’s talk was how crucial it is to integrate data considerations from day one. By thinking about how data flows through a system from the very start, teams can make better decisions that not only benefit the product but also provide valuable insights into user behaviour and operational performance.

Thomas also shared the challenges they encountered, such as balancing operational concerns with data needs, and how they overcame these hurdles through collaborative problem-solving and clear communication within the team.

My Personal Takeaways

As someone deeply involved in the tech community, last night’s talks reinforced a few key principles I’ve learned over the years:

1. Architecture is more important than ever. Even in today’s fast-moving world of serverless solutions and cloud computing, solid architectural practices like Clean Code and Hexagonal Architecture remain vital for long-term success.
2. Data isn’t just for data teams. Thomas’s presentation reminded me that development teams should be equally focused on how data is captured, stored, and used. Embedding this mindset early on can save a lot of headaches down the road and lead to better product decisions.

What’s Next?

If last night’s event highlighted one key takeaway, it’s the importance of having the right team in place to execute these complex projects. Whether you're looking to hire talented tech professionals to strengthen your team or you’re seeking your next big opportunity in the tech industry, we’re here to help.

Reach out to us, and let’s connect you with the best talent or career opportunities in the industry.

Couldn’t make it to the event? Don’t worry—we have plenty more lined up. Stay tuned for our next Architecting Manchester event. We’re always on the lookout for exciting speakers, fresh topics, and new ways to bring the tech community together.

See you at the next one!