Activity: Refine System Architecture
This activity maintains the system architecture aligned with the changes due to either requirements modifications or design refactoring and reusability issues.
DescriptionWork Breakdown StructureTeam AllocationWork Product Usage
Purpose
The purpose of this activity is to:
  • Maintain the consistency and integrity of the system architecture, ensuring that:
    • New design elements identified for the current iteration are integrated with pre-existing design elements.
    • Maximal re-use of available components and design elements is achieved as early as possible in the design effort.
  • Accommodate changes arising from new or changed requirements or discoveries made during design work.
Relationships
Properties
Event-Driven
Multiple Occurrences
Ongoing
Optional
Planned
Repeatable
Staffing

As with earlier architectural work, this activity is best carried out by a small team (playing the role of System Architect, usually guided by one or two individuals who have deep experience in architecting systems in the relevant domain) staffed by cross-functional team members. Issues that are typically architecturally important include performance, scaling, distribution, or other specialty engineering requirements. Significant architectural constraints might also flow from physical and environmental requirements. The team should also include members with domain experience who can identify key abstractions. The team should also have experience with model organization and layering.

Usage
Usage Guidance

This activity allows the System Architect to revisit the structural, dynamic, and physical aspects of the system architecture and rework and refine them as needed to accommodate change.