Create AWS Architecture Diagramming Tools Guide

[jwalsh]

Overview

Create a comprehensive guide for the team to effectively diagram AWS architectures for design reviews, documentation, and validation of system correctness.

Objectives

• Standardize how we create AWS architecture diagrams
• Enable version-controlled, reviewable diagrams
• Support both quick sketches and formal documentation
• Ensure architectural decisions are clearly communicated

Tool Coverage Requirements

Must Include

• Mermaid - For quick, inline diagrams in markdown/org-mode
• PlantUML - For detailed AWS-specific diagrams
• Python Diagrams - For programmatic diagram generation
• draw.io/diagrams.net - For visual editing when needed

Should Include

• Structurizr - For C4 model architecture views
• Lucidchart - If we have licenses
• AWS Architecture Icons - Official icon usage guidelines

Content Requirements

For Each Tool

• Installation/setup instructions
• Pros/cons comparison
• When to use (decision matrix)
• Basic syntax/usage examples
• AWS-specific features and icons

Diagram Types to Cover

• System architecture overviews
• Data flow diagrams
• Sequence diagrams for workflows
• Network topology diagrams
• Security/VPC diagrams
• CI/CD pipeline visualizations

AWS Services Examples

• Serverless architectures (Lambda, API Gateway)
• Container architectures (ECS, EKS)
• Data pipelines (Kinesis, Glue, EMR)
• Storage patterns (S3, EBS, EFS)
• Database architectures (RDS, DynamoDB, OpenSearch)
• ML pipelines (SageMaker, Bedrock)

Integration Requirements

Version Control

• Git-friendly formats (text-based preferred)
• Diff-able diagram sources
• CI/CD integration for rendering

Documentation

• Org-mode integration examples
• Markdown compatibility
• Export formats (PNG, SVG, PDF)

Collaboration

• Code review best practices
• Naming conventions
• Folder structure recommendations

Best Practices Section

Must Include

• Layering strategies (presentation, logic, data)
• Consistent iconography
• Error handling visualization
• Security boundaries
• Cost optimization callouts

Should Include

• Accessibility considerations
• Color coding standards
• Annotation guidelines
• Versioning strategies

Deliverables

Primary

• Comprehensive guide document (org-mode format)
• Quick reference/cheat sheet
• Example diagram library
• Tool comparison matrix

Secondary

• Team presentation/workshop materials
• Diagram templates
• Validation checklist

Success Criteria

• Team can create consistent AWS diagrams
• Diagrams are reviewable in PRs
• New team members can quickly learn our standards
• Architecture reviews are more efficient
• Diagrams stay up-to-date with code

Non-Goals

• Teaching AWS architecture (assume AWS knowledge)
• Covering every possible diagramming tool
• Creating a rigid, inflexible standard
• Replacing AWS Well-Architected reviews

Timeline

• Week 1-2: Tool evaluation and guide outline
• Week 3-4: Create examples and templates
• Week 5: Team review and feedback
• Week 6: Finalize and publish

Questions to Address

• Do we need licenses for any tools?
• Should we mandate specific tools for specific diagram types?
• How do we handle diagram updates as architecture evolves?
• Integration with existing documentation workflow?
• Need for automated diagram generation from code/terraform?

Acceptance Criteria

• Guide covers at least 4 different diagramming tools
• Includes 10+ real-world AWS architecture examples
• Team survey shows 80%+ find it useful
• Reduces architecture review cycle time
• Diagrams can be generated/updated via CI/CD