Description: Architecture review is a critical process in software development that involves the systematic evaluation of a system’s architecture to ensure it meets established functional and non-functional requirements. This process focuses on identifying potential issues, risks, and improvement opportunities in the software structure, as well as validating that the chosen architecture is suitable for the project’s context. During an architecture review, aspects such as scalability, maintainability, security, and system performance are analyzed. This process not only helps detect defects in the early stages of development but also promotes communication among various stakeholders, including architects, developers, and project managers. Architecture review is essential to ensure that the system not only meets current requirements but is also capable of adapting to future changes and demands. In summary, architecture review is a fundamental practice that contributes to the quality and sustainability of software in the long term.
History: Architecture review in software began to gain recognition in the 1990s when the software industry started facing significant challenges related to system complexity. With the increasing demand for more robust and scalable software, the need to formally evaluate system architecture became evident. In 1995, the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) introduced the concept of the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM), which provided a framework for evaluating architectural decisions based on their impacts on software quality attributes. Since then, architecture review has evolved and been integrated into agile methodologies and modern development approaches, becoming a standard practice in software engineering.
Uses: Architecture review is primarily used in software development to ensure that a system’s architecture is suitable for its requirements and context. It is applied at various stages of the software lifecycle, from initial planning to implementation and maintenance phases. Additionally, it is common in large-scale projects where complexity and risks are higher. Architecture review is also used to facilitate communication between development teams and stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is aligned regarding architectural decisions.
Examples: An example of architecture review can be seen in the development of enterprise applications, where the microservices architecture is evaluated to ensure that each service meets scalability and performance requirements. Another case is the review of a database management system’s architecture, where decisions about technology choices and design patterns are analyzed to optimize data access and security.
