Software Architecture Diagram

Definition

A software architecture diagram is a mid-level architecture diagram work product that primarily documents the major physical (technology-dependent) software and data components (or functions) within the various layers and partitions in the layer diagram.

Objectives

The typical objectives of a software architecture diagram is to:

• Document the physical software and data components in the application.

Benefits

The typical benefits of a software architecture diagram are to:

• It drives the remainder of the architecting activity.

Contents

The typical contents of a software architecture diagram are:

• Physical components of the layers and partitions of an application (as documented in the layer diagram) including their:
  • Data Components.
  • Software Components (typically major functions).
• Communication relationships between them.

Stakeholders

The typical stakeholders of a software architecture diagram are:

• Producers:
  • Architecture Team
• Evaluators:
  • Project Manager
  • Technical Leader
• Approvers:
  • Project Manager
  • Technical Leader
  • Customer Representative
• Maintainers:
  • Architecture Team
• Users:
  • Software Development Team

Phases

• Business Strategy: Not Applicable
• Business Optimization: Not Applicable
• Initiation: Completed
• Construction: Maintained
• Delivery: Maintained
• Usage: Maintained
• Retirement: Archived

Preconditions

Software architecture diagrams can typially be started if the following preconditions hold:

• The initiation phase has started.
• The architecture team is adequately staffed and trained in logical architecture production.

Inputs

The typical inputs to a software architecture diagram include:

• Work Products:
  • Application Vision Statement
  • System Requirements Specification
  • Layer Diagram
  • Logical Architecture Diagram
• Stakeholders:
  • TBD

Guidelines

• TBD

Conventions

Software architecture diagrams are typically constrained by the following conventions:

• Work Flow
• Content and Format Standard
• Inspection Checklist

Examples

• Example Software Architecture Diagram