Introduction
Architecture evaluation aims at determining if an architecture is fit for the purpose for which it is intended. Generally, an evaluation can be conducted by architects of an organization during or after the design process or by outsiders once the architecture (or at least parts of it) has been designed. Outside evaluators can cast an objective eye on an architecture and bring in specialized knowledge or experience. Various business scenarios require a lean architecture evaluation to support decision-making and planning. These scenarios can involve e.g. due diligence activities within mergers and acquisitions (M&A), investment decisions related to software systems, identification and high-level estimation of technical debt, or scaling of start-ups.
However, conducting architecture evaluations is a matter of cost and benefit depending on the importance of the decision and number of potential alternatives. Thus, the breadth and depth of an architecture evaluation must be balanced with the specific business scenario. Moreover, to support objective decision-making, architecture evaluations must bring up sensitive problems too. The latter is particularly supported by the evaluation by outsiders because they have no stance on the architecture, i.e., they support a neutral evaluation of the architecture.
An efficient and effective evaluation approach must be flexible and incremental focusing on breadth first and depth second following a T-shape model (see figure 2).
Figure 1: Incremental Architecture Evaluation – Breadth First, Depth Second
In addition, lean architecture evaluations and deliverables must be projectable related to time, budget and quality.
Objectives
The Rapid Architecture Assessment Tool (RAAT) and related consulting service enables a lean architecture evaluation to support decision-making and planning. They aim to identify warning signs and areas requiring further investigation (see figure 2).
Figure 2: Objectives of the Rapid Architecture Assessment Tool (RAAT) and related Consulting Service
In the context of an incremental architecture evaluation, the Rapid Architecture Assessment Workshop focuses on an initial breath first evaluation of an architecture by an outsider. The specialized knowledge and experience of an external evaluator is leveraged to conduct an efficient and effective architecture evaluation.
Approach
Architectures are not inherently good or bad. They are either more or less adequate for some purpose which is defined by the business and technical goals of an individual organization. Thus, an architecture can only be evaluated in the context of specific goals. However, within the discipline of software architecture a set of principles have emerged that should be followed when designing and evolving an architecture. These principles are classified as either process-related or architecture-related principles. If an organization and/or architecture is not in line with any of these principles, this does not automatically mean that the architecture-related process or the architecture is flawed. However, it should be considered as a warning sign that should be further investigated.
The Rapid Architecture Assessment Tool (RAAT) leverages the generic principles to structure and facilitate a rapid architecture assessment. The RAAT consists of two parts: An assessment of the architectural processes and an assessment of the architecture itself, i.e., the architectural structures (see figure 3).
Figure 3: Parts and Focus Areas of the Rapid Architecture Assessment Tool (RAAT)
Within each part there are focus areas which are centered around the generic principles. For each principle, there are several assessment questions which structure and guide the assessment process.
The RAAT is used as part of a consulting service which is organized in preparation, workshop, and documentation phase (see figure 4).
Figure 4: Overview of the Rapid Architecture Assessment Tool (RAAT) and Workshop
As part of the preparation phase, the initial situation of an organization and architecture is roughly grasped by interviewing stakeholders, architects, and developers, and analyzing architectural models and documents. Moreover, depending on the individual customer requirements, the workshop is customized, i.e., the scope and focus can be individually defined.
During the workshop phase, the RAAT and its assessment questions are used to analyze the architectural processes and structures. However, the assessment is guided by the expertise of the external evaluator and answers provided by the workshop participants. They work closely together to identify warning signs and areas for further investigation. In the documentation phase these warning signs and areas are documented and enriched by suggestions for improvements.
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