Decision-Making Processes in Software Architecture
This chapter provides a thorough examination of decision-making in software architecture, identifying it as fundamental to successful software development. It covers the nature of architectural decisions, the types encountered, and the processes for making these decisions. It presents the factors and trade-offs that influence architectural decisions and assesses the trade-offs through the architecture trade-offs analysis method (ATAM) alongside case studies to illustrate practical applications. The chapter stresses the need for aligning architectural decisions with business goals, detailing strategies for this alignment, and documenting decisions via Architectural Decision Records (ADRs) to ensure clarity and continuity. Overall, it serves as a guide for architects to make informed decisions that align with technical and business objectives, aiming for robust and scalable software solutions.
This chapter will cover the following...