Architecture Prototyping

Definition

Architecture Prototyping

the architecting task during which executable software prototypes of the architecture (a.k.a., executable architectures) are produced

Classification

As illustrated in the preceding figure, architectural prototyping is part of the following inheritance hierarchy:

• Type: Concrete
• Superclass: Task
• Subclasses: None

Responsibilities

The typical responsibilities of the architecture prototyping task are to:

• Verify the feasibility and correctness of the most important or high risk strategic architectural decisions.

Preconditions

Architecture prototyping typically can begin when the following preconditions hold:

• The initiation phase has started.
• The architecture team and software development team are adequately:
  • Staffed.
  • Trained in architecture prototyping.
• An initial partial version of one or more of the following documents exist:
  • System Architecture Document
  • Information Architecture Document
  • Software Architecture Document

Completion Criteria

Architecture prototyping typically is complete when the following postconditions hold:

• The architecture prototype is complete.
• The feasibility and correctness of the most important or high risk strategic architectural decisions have been verified.

Steps

Architecture prototyping typically involves the software development team collaborating closely with the architecture team to perform the following steps in an incremental, iterative, parallel, and time-boxed manner:

• Develop a minimal domain layer.
• Develop packages of classes that verify each architectural mechanism that is to be at least partially implemented using software components.
• Ensure that at least one representative end-to-end use case path functions correctly.

Techniques

Architecture prototyping typically can be performed using the following techniques:

• Rapid prototyping
• Evolvable prototyping

Work Products

Architecture prototyping typically results in the production of all or part of the following work products:

• Software Architecture Prototype

Guidelines

• Production of the software architecture prototype is typically delegated to the software development team.
• Where practical, the executable software prototype should evolve into the deliverable application.