Conway's Law
The Mirroring Hypothesis · Isomorphism
Conway's Law states that organizations design systems that mirror their own communication structures. In other words, the way teams are organized and talk to each other will inevitably shape the architecture of whatever they build.
Published February 23, 2026
Origin
Coined by computer programmer Melvin Conway in 1967, based on his observation that software systems tend to reflect the organizational structure of the teams that build them. (Source)
Everyday Use
You know that feeling when an organization's or company's app feels disjointed — like the checkout flow, search, and about pages were clearly built by three teams that never talked to each other? That's Conway's Law in action. It also explains why startups with small, tight-knit teams often ship more cohesive products than large corporations.