Station

Architecture & Platform Decisions

Use requirements and constraints to decide the right architecture pattern and enabling platform capabilities.

Architecture choices should follow from evidence about business impact, locations, trust boundaries, capacity, latency, data ownership, consistency, operability, security, privacy, governance, and cost.

Method map

Metro map

Select a cycle, station, or stakeholder to open its permanent method page.

StrategicGovernanceConsumerTechnicalUser ExperienceUser ExperienceMarket InsightsMarket InsightsBusiness GoalsBusiness GoalsCompetitive AnalysisCompetitive AnalysisEcosystem VisionEcosystem VisionScalable InfrastructureScalable InfrastructureLegal and ComplianceLegal and ComplianceSecurity and PrivacySecurity and PrivacyDesign StandardsDesign StandardsVendor ManagementVendor ManagementContract DesignContract DesignDevelopmentDevelopmentCI/CDCI/CDTest AutomationTest AutomationRelease ManagementRelease ManagementService AgreementsService AgreementsConsumer AdoptionConsumer AdoptionPromotionPromotionPartner IntegrationPartner IntegrationAPI MindsetAPI MindsetRoles and ResponsibilitiesRoles and ResponsibilitiesUpskillingUpskillingOperating GuidelinesOperating GuidelinesPortfolio ManagementPortfolio ManagementBudget and Resource ManagementBudget and Resource ManagementStrategy1Capability StrategyConsumer Requirements & Onboarding2Consumer Requirements &OnboardingArchitecture & Platform Decisions3Architecture & PlatformDecisionsSolution & Interface Design4Solution & InterfaceDesignDelivery & Operations5Delivery & OperationsQuality & Readiness Assurance6Quality & ReadinessAssurancePublishing & Enablement7Publishing & EnablementMonitoring & Improvement8Monitoring & ImprovementBusiness Opportunities LinePlatform Architecture LineDesign LineDelivery LinePublishing and Adoption LineOperating Model Line

Selected station: Architecture & Platform Decisions

People to involve

Related resources

Outcomes

  • A justified architecture choice
  • Documented risks, locations, capacity, security, privacy, and operability constraints
  • Clear rationale for API, event, file, stream, data product, direct integration, or hybrid implementation style

Journey criteria

Entry criteria

  • Capability opportunity is identified and documented.
  • The capability addresses a clear business need and is reusable by its intended consumers.
  • The selected interface provides an appropriate abstraction for consumers.
  • The capability value proposition has been validated with business and consumer stakeholders.
  • Consumer segments are identified.
  • A high-level implementation roadmap is defined.

Exit criteria

  • The capability addresses a clear business need and is reusable by its intended consumers.
  • The selected interface provides an appropriate abstraction for consumers.
  • The capability value proposition has been validated with business and consumer stakeholders.
  • Consumer segments are identified.
  • A high-level implementation roadmap is defined.

This is what success looks like

Compare viable architecture styles against the gathered requirements and document the selected pattern and rationale.

  1. Use the Business Impact Canvas to identify availability, security, and data risks that influence architecture options. — Business Impact Canvas
  2. Use the Locations Canvas to capture geopolitical, regulatory, network, residency, and trust-boundary constraints. — Location Canvas
  3. Use the Capacity Canvas to capture current and future volumes, peaks, latency, caching, rate limiting, and scaling expectations. — Capacity Canvas
  4. Use metrics and analytics guidance to define how the chosen capability will be monitored and improved.

Metro lines

Design Line

Focuses on solution and interface design principles that can be used across APIs, integrations, automations, data products, and other implementation styles.

Review station resources

Browse the resources selected for Architecture & Platform Decisions; the summary above explains how they support this station’s work.

Station resources

Resources for Architecture & Platform Decisions

canvas

Business Impact Canvas

Identify business, availability, security, data, compliance, and operational risks that should shape architecture and platform decisions.

Outcomes

  • Documented business and operational impact assessment
  • Prioritized risks and mitigation actions
  • Evidence for architecture and platform decisions

How it works

  1. Availability Risks: Identify risks and impacts.
  2. Ways to Mitigate Availability Risks: Define mitigation measures.
  3. Security Risks: Document security-related risks.
  4. Ways to Mitigate Security Risks: Propose strategies to mitigate security risks.
  5. Data Risks: Identify risks to data accuracy or availability.
  6. Ways to Mitigate Data Risks: Plan strategies to address data risks.

Relevant cycles

API Productization Cycle

The API-focused APIOps Cycles journey for productizing, designing, delivering, publishing, and improving APIs.

Automation Cycle

A cycle for identifying, designing, delivering, enabling, and improving automation opportunities.