Development of an IT architecture

The system architect designs a suitable system architecture based on the functional and non-functional system requirements. The architectural results will be used as guideline and to document design decisions.

In the first step, significant architectural principles will be specified and possible design alternatives will be examined. In accordance with the selected design alternative, the system will be decomposed into segments, hardware, software, and external units.

Relations and interfaces between the elements and to the environment will be identified and summarized. In addition, joint system charactistics like safety and security concept, transaction concept and logging concept, will be specified.

The suitability of the selected architecture for the system to be developed will be assessed. Open questions may be answered, e.g., within the scope of a prototype development.

The main responsibility for the architectural design is vested in the system architect who will be supported by various specialists, e.g. for hardware development, software development, logistics, safety, security and ergonomics.

The architecture is the central document for the preparation of additional products. It specifies all segements, hardware, software and external units for the system. Based on the overall architecture, an architecture will be developed for every hardware or software unit, and specifications will be prepared for the respective elements.