Carola Lilienthal — Software Architecture

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Books in this wiki: Software Architecture Metrics (contributing author, ch. 4)

Background

Dr. Carola Lilienthal is managing director of WPS — Workplace Solutions and a software architect with over 300 architecture reviews across Java, C#, and C++ codebases. Developer of the Modularity Maturity Index (MMI). Her empirical approach to architecture quality derives principles from cognitive science (chunking, hierarchical thinking, schema theory) rather than purely theoretical design principles.

Core Positions

Architecture quality can be measured objectively through a combination of automated metrics tools and structured review. The Modularity Maturity Index (MMI) provides a 0-10 score grounded in three cognitive principles: modularity (chunking, 45% of score), hierarchy (30%), and pattern consistency (25%). Without continuous improvement cycles, architecture erosion is inevitable — implementation debt is measurable but design/architecture debt requires architectural review and is far more expensive to address.