Glossary of Terms

A reference guide to key terms and concepts in Salesforce org architecture and development practices.

Bento Org

A well-organized Salesforce architecture where functionality is compartmentalized into discrete, self-contained packages—like the separate compartments in a Japanese bento box.

How it works

Each functional area (Sales Cloud extensions, CPQ integrations, Service Cloud enhancements, etc.) exists in its own package with clear boundaries and dependencies.

Key Characteristics

  • Solutions delivered through installations rather than deployments
  • Each package includes everything it needs (apps, objects, flows, permissions)
  • Independent version control repositories for each package
  • Updates can be tested and deployed in isolation
  • Clear, documented dependencies between packages

Benefits

  • Updates don't break unrelated features
  • New functionality deploys cleanly
  • Easier testing and maintenance
  • Reduced risk of system-wide failures
  • More efficient change management
See also: Happy Soup

Happy Soup (Soup Org)

A Salesforce organization that has become a chaotic, tangled mess of customizations, integrations, and features built without proper planning or coordination.

Origins of the term

"Happy Soup" is terminology used by some Salesforce consultants to describe this type of chaotic org architecture. Like throwing random ingredients into a pot, individual components might work fine separately, but together they create an unappetizing, indistinguishable mess that's nearly impossible to "unmake."

What causes it

Multiple consulting firms or developers working on the same org using different approaches, standards, and architectural patterns—often without communicating with each other.

Key Characteristics

  • Changes to one area frequently break unrelated functionality
  • Inconsistent naming conventions and coding standards
  • Poor or missing documentation
  • High maintenance costs and development time
  • Fear of making updates due to unpredictable side effects
See also: Bento Org