What is ISO-IEC 42010:2016?

The ISO-IEC 42010 standard, also known as the Systems and Software Engineering – Architecture Description, was first published in the year 2007. The most recent version of this standard is ISO-IEC 42010:2016, which provides guidelines for architectural description of systems and software. This article will delve into the key aspects of ISO-IEC 42010:2016 and its significance in the field of engineering.

The Purpose of ISO-IEC 42010:2016

The main purpose of ISO-IEC 42010:2016 is to provide a framework for effective architectural descriptions that can be used in various stages of system development and maintenance processes. It defines key concepts and terminology related to architecture description, and outlines the principles and practices necessary for successful architectural documentation.

The standard aims to enable communication and understanding among stakeholders involved in system development, including architects, designers, developers, testers, and project managers. By establishing a common language and structure for architectural descriptions, ISO-IEC 42010:2016 facilitates better collaboration and decision-making throughout the software development lifecycle.

Key Components of ISO-IEC 42010:2016

ISO-IEC 42010:2016 consists of several important components that form the basis of effective architecture descriptions:

Architectural viewpoints and perspectives: This component emphasizes the need for multiple viewpoints and perspectives to capture different architectural concerns. It suggests that architecture descriptions should not be limited to a single viewpoint but should incorporate various stakeholders' perspectives to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the system.

Architecture frameworks: ISO-IEC 42010:2016 encourages the use of architecture frameworks, such as TOGAF or Zachman Framework, to guide the creation and organization of architectural descriptions. These frameworks provide a structured approach to architectural documentation and serve as a reference for consistency and completeness.

Architecture viewpoints: Viewpoints are used to capture relevant concerns and stakeholder interests from different perspectives. ISO-IEC 42010:2016 defines a framework for creating and using architecture viewpoints, enabling stakeholders to communicate and analyze specific aspects of the system's architecture effectively.

Architecture views: Views represent instances of architecture viewpoints and provide specific representations of the system's architecture at a particular point in time. Architecture views document different aspects of the system and support various purposes, such as analysis, decision-making, and communication.

Benefits of Using ISO-IEC 42010:2016

Adopting ISO-IEC 42010:2016 brings numerous benefits to the engineering community:

Better communication and understanding among stakeholders

Improved collaboration and decision-making processes

Enhanced documentation quality and consistency

Clearer identification and management of architectural risks

Increased traceability between requirements and design decisions

Ultimately, ISO-IEC 42010:2016 promotes the development of high-quality and well-designed systems through effective architecture description practices.