Activity: Assess Viability of Architectural Proof-of-Concept

Purpose To evaluate the synthesized Architectural Proof-of-Concept to determine whether the critical architectural requirements are feasible and can be met (by this or any other solution).
Steps Determine Evaluation Criteria Evaluate Architectural Proof-of-Concept Assess Results
Input Artifacts: Architectural Proof-of-Concept Use-Case Model Supplementary Specifications Glossary Risk List Business Case Vision	Resulting Artifacts: Risk List Business Case Vision
Frequency: Probably once only, during an inception iteration.
Role: Software Architect

Workflow Details:

Analysis & Design

Perform Architectural Synthesis

Determine Evaluation Criteria

The criteria against which the Architectural Proof-of-Concept is to be evaluated are drawn from the architecturally significant requirements, which were the drivers in its construction. This is analogous to the construction of Test Cases that occurs in later phases.

Evaluate Architectural Proof-of-Concept

In this step, the Architectural Proof-of-Concept is tested against the evaluation criteria: the way in which this is done will depend on the form of the proof-of-concept. For example, in the case of an executable prototype, this may be through demonstration; in the case of a conceptual model, through inspection and reasoning, or, for a simulation, requiring the set-up and running of the simulation model with input data derived from the evaluation criteria, then the collection and analysis of output data from the model.

Assess Results

The results from the evaluation are assessed to determine not only if the architecturally significant requirements can be satisfied, but also as a check on the validity of those requirements. At this time in the development, requirements are still mutable, and not necessarily well-understood by the stakeholders; for example, perhaps the opportunity exists to relax requirements that were shown to be high-risk by the evaluation of the Architectural Proof-of-Concept. All these avenues should be thoroughly explored in assessing the results - this contrasts with the situation later in elaboration and construction, when there will be much greater reluctance to change or reinterpret requirements. After the assessment, with a better understanding of scope and feasibility by all stakeholders, change proposals to the Business Case, Vision and Risk List are prepared, if necessary.