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Software Architecture Kit

Architecture templates in working order: quality drivers, domain modelling, ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010 and C4 design, ADRs, arc42 and architecture reviews.

Step 1

Drivers and requirements

  1. Non-Functional Requirements & Quality Attribute Scenarios Template

    Full

    ISO/IEC 25010:2023 qualities, utility tree priorities, six-part scenarios, measurement methods and acceptance thresholds

    ISO/IEC 25010:2023, SEI quality attribute scenarios

  2. Software Requirements Specification Template (ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148)

    Full

    Full SRS per ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148:2018 – interfaces, functions, quality attributes, verification matrix, traceability

    ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148:2018

  3. Architecture Principles Catalogue Template

    Standard

    Principles catalogue – template, 12 worked principles (business, data, application, technology, security), compliance table, waivers

Step 2

Domain modelling

  1. EventStorming Workshop Summary Template

    Standard

    Record an EventStorming session: events timeline, commands, actors, policies, read models, hotspots, context candidates

    EventStorming (Alberto Brandolini)

  2. Bounded Context Canvas Template (DDD Crew)

    Standard

    Design one DDD bounded context: purpose, strategic classification, roles, inbound/outbound messages, language, rules, metrics

    Bounded Context Canvas V5 (DDD Crew); Domain-Driven Design (Evans)

  3. DDD Context Map Template

    Standard

    Map bounded contexts and their DDD relationships (ACL, OHS, conformist, shared kernel), team ties and evolution plan

    Domain-Driven Design context mapping patterns (Evans)

  4. Ubiquitous Language Glossary Template (DDD)

    Lean

    Glossary of domain terms per bounded context with synonyms to avoid, examples, code names, owners and change rules

    Domain-Driven Design (Evans)
Step 3

Design

  1. Architecture Description Template (ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010)

    Full

    Full architecture description per ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010:2022 – stakeholders, concerns, viewpoints, views, correspondences, decisions

    ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010:2022

  2. C4 Architecture Document Template (C4 Model)

    Full

    C4 model document with Mermaid C4 diagrams – context, containers, components, code, landscape, dynamic, deployment, element catalogues

    C4 model

  3. Software Design Description Template (IEEE 1016)

    Full

    Full SDD per IEEE 1016-2009 – design concerns, 12 design viewpoints and views, rationale, overlays, requirements traceability

    IEEE 1016-2009

  4. Solution Architecture Document Template

    Full

    Enterprise solution architecture – drivers, current/target state, gap analysis, domain architectures, NFR and principles compliance, roadmap

  5. Technical Design Document Template

    Full

    In-depth design doc – context, goals and non-goals, APIs, data, flows, alternatives matrix, cross-cutting concerns, testing, rollout, cost

Step 4

Decisions

  1. Architecture Decision Record Template (Tyree-Akerman, Y-Statement)

    Standard

    Detailed ADR – Tyree & Akerman fields (assumptions, constraints, positions, argument, implications, related items) plus Y-statement

    Tyree & Akerman decision template; Y-statement (Zimmermann)

  2. MADR Decision Record Template

    Standard

    MADR 4 decision record: context, decision drivers, considered options, outcome, consequences, confirmation, pros and cons

    MADR

  3. Technology Selection and Build vs Buy Template

    Standard

    Build, buy, open source or managed service evaluation with weighted decision matrix, PoC results, risks, cost and decision

  4. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis Template

    Standard

    Multi-year TCO comparison of options by cost category, with NPV discounting, sensitivity, break-even and recommendation

Step 5

Documentation

  1. arc42 Architecture Documentation Template

    Full

    Complete arc42 v9 documentation – all 12 chapters with sub-sections, quality tree and scenarios, risks, worked examples

    arc42 v9

  2. Software Architecture Document Template (4+1 Views)

    Full

    SAD with Kruchten 4+1 views – goals and constraints, scenarios, logical, process, development, physical views, sizing, view mapping

    Kruchten 4+1 view model
Step 6

Review and governance

  1. Architecture Review Board Request Template

    Standard

    ARB submission: context, scope, proposed architecture, alternatives, principles compliance, risk flags, decisions and outcome

  2. Architecture Evaluation Report Template (ATAM)

    Full

    ATAM evaluation report – business drivers, approaches, utility tree, voted scenarios, sensitivity and trade-off points, risks, risk themes

    SEI ATAM

  3. Architecture Fitness Functions Catalogue Template

    Standard

    Catalogue of executable architecture checks per quality attribute: type, metric, threshold, tool, cadence, owner, result

    Building Evolutionary Architectures (fitness function concept)

  4. Technical Debt Register Template

    Standard

    Debt register with Fowler quadrant taxonomy, interest, principal, risk-weighted priority score, triage, budget and reporting

  5. Technology Radar Template

    Standard

    Technology radar: quadrants, adopt/trial/assess/hold rings, blip table with movement and rationale, governance and cadence

    Technology radar concept (Thoughtworks)