Phase G: Architecture Maintenance

Objective    Approach     Inputs     Steps    Outputs

Objective

The objective of this phase is to establish a maintenance procedure for the new baseline that is achieved with the completion of the implementation phase. This procedure will typically provide for the continual monitoring of such things as new developments in technology and changes in the business environment, and for determining whether to formally initiate a new architecture evolution cycle.

Approach

In this phase it is critical that the governing body establish criteria to judge whether a change warrants a technical architect update or that it warrants starting a new cycle of the architecture development method. It is especially important to avoid "creeping elegance", so the governing body must continue to look for changes that relate directly to business value.

Guidelines for establishing these criteria are difficult to prescribe, as many companies accept risk differently, but as the architecture development method is exercised, the maturity level of the governing body will improve and thus criteria will become clear for specific needs.

Inputs

Inputs to this phase are:

• New technology reports
• Request for Architecture Work changes - new business changes

Steps

Key steps in this phase include:

• Ongoing monitoring of technology changes
• Ongoing monitoring of business changes
• Assessment of changes and development of position to act
• Meeting of governing council to decide on handling changes (technology and business)

Outputs

The outputs of this phase are:

• Technical Architecture updates
• New Request for Architecture Work (to move to another cycle)

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