Task Descriptor: Refine the Architecture
Make concrete decisions about the architecture to provide guidance and direction to the development work for the iteration.
Based on Method Task:  Refine the Architecture
Relationships
RolesMain: Additional: Assisting:
InputsMandatory: Optional:
  • None
External:
  • None
Outputs
Steps
Identify architectural drivers and scenarios

Architecture drivers can take the form of one or more Architecture Mechanisms brought into scope by association to the use case scenarios prioritized for the current iteration. Other drivers may also be apparent. For example, it may be necessary to move certain aspects of the architecture from prototype to production quality implementation; or explore certain aspects of the architecture to inform future iterations.

Identifying these drivers will enable the Project Manager to allocate the resources needed.

Identify design mechanisms

Refine Architecture Mechanisms into Design Mechanisms by looking at the requirements in context. Look for commonality across scenarios as they are they are being analyzed and designed, then propose common components and patterns for their solution.

Identify business patterns

Identify areas of related or similar behaviour and propose any appropriate generic designs. See Business Pattern.

Identify reuse opportunities

Leverage reuse of existing components by looking to their interfaces and the behavior they provide.

Identify architecturally significant design elements

Decide on the important design elements (such as classes and subsystems) that make up the architecture, providing at least a name and brief description.

Define development and test architectures

Decide on additional architectural elements required to support the development and test activities.

Evaluate results

Verify that the architectural decisions taken are fit for purpose. This may take the form of such activities as verifying the success of exploratory prototypes; peer review of documentation; or formal assessment reviews.

Communicate and document decisions

Ensure that those who need to act upon the architecture work understand the architecture and are able to work with it. Make sure that the architecture description is able to articulate the motivation for the more important decisions that have been made in shaping the architecture.

Properties
Multiple Occurrences
Event-Driven
Ongoing
Optional
Planned
Repeatable