Software Architecture Defined
Software architecture is a blueprint for both the system and the project. It defines the work assignments that must be carried out by design and implementation teams.
The architecture is the primary carrier of system qualities such as scalability, performance, modifiability, security and cost reduction, none of which can be achieved without a unifying architectural vision. Architecture is an artifact for early analysis to make sure that a design approach will yield an acceptable system.
By building effective architecture, you can identify design risks and mitigate them early in the development process. Software architecture dictates technical standards, including software coding standards, tools, and platforms. It gives the right technical solutions to ensure your success.
By now you must have understood that a good software architecture is extremely important for a software project. So here are 15 benefits that will tell you more about how it can help you in your project and why you should invest in a good software architecture.
1. It creates a solid foundation for the project
2. Makes your platform scalable
3. Increases performance of the platform
4. Reduces costs, avoids code duplication
5. Implementing a vision. Looking at the architecture is an effective way to view the overall state of IT and to develop a vision of where the organization needs to or wants to go with it’s IT structure. A software architect sees the big picture. In order to carry the architecture through to a successful conclusion, it’s important that somebody owns the big picture and sells the vision throughout the entirety of the software development lifecycle, evolving it throughout the project if necessary and taking responsibility for ensuring that it’s delivered successfully.
6. Identifies areas for potential cost savings. An architecture helps an organization to analyze its current IT and identify areas where changes could lead to cost savings. For instance, the architecture may show that multiple database systems could be changed so only one product is used, reducing software and support costs. Provides a basis for reuse. The process of architecting can support both the use and creation of reusable assets. Reusable assets are beneficial to an organization, since they can reduce the overall cost of a system and also improve its quality, given that a reusable asset has already been proven
7. Better code maintainability. It is easier to maintain existing software, as the structure of the code is visible and known, so it’s easier to find bugs and anomalies.
8. Enables quicker changes in IT Systems. There is increased demand for systems to change quickly to meet rapidly evolving business needs, legislative requirements, etc.
9. Increases ** quality** of the platform.
10. Helps manage complexity.
11. Makes the platform ** faster**.
12. Higher adaptability. New technical features, such a different front ends, or adding a business rule engine are easier to achieve, as your software architecture creates a clear separation of concerns.
13. It helps in risk management. Helps to reduce risks and chance of failure
14. Reduces its time to market, reduces development time
15. Prioritize conflicting Goals. It facilitates communication with stakeholders, contributing to a system that better fulfills their needs. Communicating about complex systems from the point of view of stakeholders helps them understand the consequences of their stated requirements and the design decisions based on them. Architecture gives the ability to communicate about design decisions before the system is implemented, when they are still relatively easy to adapt.