The SCADET Framework for Designing Mobile Systems
Learn SCADET, a framework to tackle and design any mobile System Design problem.
Most developers can explain a feature. Fewer can explain why their design works under stress. And even fewer can do it repeatedly and clearly, across projects or in interviews.
A framework gives you that edge. It structures your thinking, ensures you don’t miss critical dimensions like trade-offs, API design, or offline behavior, and helps you answer questions before they’re even asked.
And in interviews? It’s a superpower.
When you walk into a mobile System Design interview and say:
I approach all designs using a layered framework I call SCADET; it walks through system requirements, architectural decisions, APIs, evaluations, and trade-offs.
You instantly reposition yourself from any candidate to a system thinker.
A well-defined framework like SCADET is a mental model, a systematic guide that transforms daunting, open-ended design challenges into manageable, interconnected phases. It does several crucial things, some of which are mentioned below.
You’re in control: When faced with an ambiguous interview question (“Design WhatsApp,” “Design Uber”), SCADET gives you a roadmap. You know exactly where to start, what questions to ask, and how to structure your thoughts.
You exhibit structured thinking: Interviewers aren’t just looking for the “right” answer; they’re looking for how you think. SCADET demonstrates a methodical, mature, and complete problem-solving approach.
You sound professional: Following a framework ensures you cover all your bases, from the user’s needs to the inevitable trade-offs, making you sound comprehensive and experienced.
You adapt with ease: SCADET is flexible enough to handle any System Design challenge, whether it’s a back-end service, a data pipeline, or the seamless integration of a mobile application
Let’s explore what SCADET is and what each step means for mobile System Design. ...