A Rigorous Approach to IT Architecture

Abstract

A precise definition of IT architecture and its relationship to engineering is described. The components used to define architecture are generically defined along with relationships among these components. These concepts are then used, along with a particular architecture viewpoint and system context to document an example of architecture components using structural and behavioural signatures to express form and function. The end result is a well defined approach for the documentation of IT architectures, based upon a concise definition of architecture, the components used to describe the architecture, and the relationships and structures among these components.