Model-Centric Architecting Process

Abstract

This chapter defines a methodical approach, named model-centric architecting process (MAP), to effectively cope with the architecture design complexity and manage the architecting process and lifecycle of information systems development in a service-oriented paradigm. This comprehensive method comprises four dimensions of architecting activities: requirement analysis, specification, validation, and planning (RSVP). The process is broken down into nine interrelated models: meta architecture, conceptual architecture, logical architecture, physical architecture, deployment architecture, management architecture, information architecture, aspect architecture, and component architecture. A 2-D matrix serves as a blueprint to denote a step-by-step procedure to produce and manage the architectural artifacts and deliverables in the lifecycle of systems architecture design, development and governance. The holistic framework provides a multidisciplinary view of the design principles, tenets, idioms, and strategies in the IT architecting practices. The characteristics and features of the constituent elements in the MAP approach are articulated in great detail. Recommendations and future trends are also presented in the context. It helps build high-quality service-oriented solutions focused on different domains, and in the meantime keeps the agility, flexibility and adaptiveness of the overall method. This systematic framework may be customized in different formats to design various information systems in different industries.