From Boxes to Breakthroughs: How Visual Thinking Can Transform Salesforce Architecture
Beech Horn
In an era where enterprise CRM landscapes are growing more complex, fast-changing, and multi-cloud, how we communicate architecture is more important than ever. That’s why I sat down with Beech Horn, a Salesforce architect known for blending thoughtful system design with elegant visual diagrams. Our conversation uncovered a key truth: diagramming isn’t just documentation – it’s a thinking tool, a collaboration enabler, and an architectural accelerant.
With Salesforce no longer focusing on the architect.salesforce.com website, we have fewer ready made resources for architecture diagrams, like predefined templates in Lucid Charts. Now, if you are a programmer who became an architect like me, you are used to visually depicting things with code or syntax. Remember the old Shell commands and DOS commands, which made more sense for creating things quickly than just clicking 50 dialog boxes?!! What if there were a diagramming tool that would take your code to boxes easily? This is where Beech Horn solution with D2 becomes so powerful!!
This post captures the highlights of our discussion, complete with actionable takeaways and visuals to help you diagram better, faster, and with more impact.
👀 Why Visuals Beat Words in CRM Strategy Conversations
“If you’re not diagramming, you’re not architecting.” – Beech Horn
That quote stuck with me. In large-scale Salesforce programs – especially in public sector, higher ed, or multi-cloud environments – written documentation alone is not enough.
Beech explained that architecture must speak to multiple audiences:
Executives need clarity at a glance
Admins want system context
Developers need flow precision
PMs want change impact visibility
The universal translator? Diagrams.
The above is an example of a system diagram that you can build using D2.
✍️ Declarative Diagramming with D2: Think in Code, Visualize Instantly
Unlike traditional drag-and-drop tools, D2 is a diagram scripting language that lets you write diagram logic in plain text.
This creates three game-changing advantages:
Version Control: Store diagrams alongside your metadata in Git.
Speed: Update diagrams by editing code—no more manual layout tweaking.
Automation: Generate diagrams via pipelines for CI/CD readiness.
“I use D2 for everything from OAuth flows to entity relationships. It scales with you.” – Beech Horn
The above is a System diagram, which you can build using D2 with just code-based syntax.
🖼️ When Sketch-Mode Speaks Louder Than Polished Slides
Not all diagrams need to be perfect. Sometimes the right level of sketchiness encourages collaboration rather than resistance.
“I use sketch mode in D2 when I’m still exploring a design. It invites people in.” – Beech Horn
This subtle signal – “this is draft, not dogma” – gets more eyeballs, feedback, and alignment early.
📐 The Layers of Diagramming in Salesforce Architecture
During our chat, Beech outlined four diagram types every Salesforce team should master:
Diagram Type
Use Case
Tool Recommendations
System Context Diagrams
Show interactions between systems (e.g., MuleSoft, IDPs)
Lucidchart, D2
Auth Flows
Document login/OAuth flows, tokens, and redirections
D2, PlantUML
Object/Data Models
Visualize standard/custom objects & relationships
Salesforce ERDs, D2
Process Flows
Outline user steps, automation paths, decision points
Lucidchart, Flow Builder UI
⚙️ How Diagramming Accelerates DevOps, Not Just Design
Beech walked us through how D2 diagrams can be embedded in GitHub repos, updated via pull requests, and even auto-generated from source metadata.
“Imagine updating your auth flow diagram as part of a release branch. That’s real-time architecture.” – Beech Horn
This makes architecture living, versioned, and continuous – not static and forgotten.
🧪 Diagram to Debug: Preventing and Catching Problems Early
One of Beech’s most surprising insights? Diagrams are diagnostic tools.
When teams can’t find bugs in a flow or Apex logic, a missing object relationship or process condition becomes clear when visualized.
“If a diagram doesn’t make sense, it usually means the system doesn’t either.” – Beech Horn
💬 Real Talk: Overcoming Pushback from Non-Visual Thinkers
Every architect has faced it: “We don’t need diagrams, just write it in Jira.”
Beech recommends starting small:
Add diagrams to one story per sprint
Use “before/after” visuals for change impact
Let business users request more once they see clarity
“Once someone sees their problem visually mapped out, they ask: Why don’t we always do this?”
🔭 The Future of Diagramming: AI + Visual Architecture
Looking ahead, we discussed how Gen AI tools can:
Auto-generate diagrams from flows and metadata
Suggest architecture patterns from diagram inputs
Maintain alignment between documentation and design
“Diagramming is due for its AI upgrade. Salesforce’s metadata is structured – it’s perfect for GenAI-driven architecture.” – Beech Horn
If you’re sold on the benefits but unsure where to start, try this:
Week 1: ✅ Create a D2 diagram for your login/auth flow
Week 2: ✅ Visualize one business process with decisions, flows, and actors
Week 3: ✅ Diagram your top 10 custom objects and key lookups
Week 4: ✅ Add one diagram to each new sprint user story or technical spec
By the end, your team will begin thinking visually – and solving faster.
🧭 Final Words from Beech Horn
“Diagramming is thinking. If you can’t draw it, you haven’t reasoned through it yet.”
As Salesforce implementations get more modular, integrated, and AI-driven, the architect’s job is not just to build – it’s to explain, align, and scale. Visuals help us do all three.
