Solution architecture is the process of defining the overall structure, properties, and behavior of a system or solution, in order to meet the requirements of the stakeholders and to ensure that the system or solution is fit for its purpose. It is a high-level view of the entire solution, describing the building blocks and their relationships, and the standards and principles that will be used to guide the design and development.
Solution Architecture is the process of defining the optimal solution to meet the business and technical requirements, while considering the constraints and risks. It is the process of creating blueprints that describe the solution, components, interfaces and data flows, and it is a crucial step in the development of any system since it serves as a guide for the implementation of the solution.
The solution architect understands the business domain and business requirements. Expertized investigation and analysis of the functional and organizational requirements from the planning stage to the final design.
Solution Architecture is a bridge between the business and technology worlds, it helps to align the business needs with the technology capabilities, and it’s a key component of the overall enterprise architecture.
The output of solution architecture typically includes a set of documents and deliverables that describe the overall structure, properties, and behavior of the system or solution. These outputs can include:
1. Solution Architecture Document: This document provides a high-level view of the entire solution, describing the building blocks and their relationships, and the standards and principles that will be used to guide the design and development.
2. Component Diagrams: These diagrams provide a visual representation of the solution’s components, their relationships, and the interfaces between them.
3. Data Flow Diagrams: These diagrams show the flow of data between the solution’s components, including the data models and data stores that will be used.
4. Technical Standards and Principles: A set of standards and principles that will be used to guide the design and development of the solution, including guidelines for security, scalability, and performance.
5. Integration Points: A description of the integration points between the solution and other systems, including any APIs or interfaces that will be used to connect the solution to other systems.
6. Non-Functional Requirements: A description of the non-functional requirements for the solution, such as security, scalability, and performance.
7. Deployment Diagrams: These diagrams describe the physical or logical deployment of the solution, including the hardware and software components, and how they will be deployed in the production environment.
8. Security Architecture: A description of the security architecture for the solution, including the security controls that will be implemented to protect the solution.
The output of solution architecture should be clear, concise, and easy to understand so that it can be used as a guide for the implementation of the solution, and be used as a reference for future developments.