# Workload architecture A reliable workload starts with upfront design decisions for both software and infrastructure. Your architecture choices will impact your workload behavior across all six Well-Architected pillars. For reliability, there are specific patterns you must follow. The following sections explain best practices to use with these patterns for reliability. **Topics** + [Design your workload service architecture](design-your-workload-service-architecture.md) + [Design interactions in a distributed system to prevent failures](design-interactions-in-a-distributed-system-to-prevent-failures.md) + [Design interactions in a distributed system to mitigate or withstand failures](design-interactions-in-a-distributed-system-to-mitigate-or-withstand-failures.md)