Architecture

When you build a new house, you start out with some high level sketches of the floor plans and perhaps 3d views of what the house will look like, so that you can visualize what your house will be like to live in, and if it will meet all of your needs. It is important that you do this without specifying the specific vendors of materials so that you do not tie yourself in at too early a stage.

You need to do a similar process when you need to add or change your computer hardware, software and networks. One or more high level diagram and associated description will describe how the proposed "target architecture" fulfills the requirements that were defined in the Analysis.  If you already have some hardware, software and networks installed, a good architecture will "re-use" as much of this as possible to avoid undue expense.

A good architecture will also allow you to implement only part at this time, allowing for additions to be made later without a lot of rework and disruption.

For large companies, the development of the architecture required for complex changes can take a lot of time and energy. For small or home offices, I have the experience to develop your architecture relatively quickly.

After the development of the "Target Architecture", we can proceed to Product Selection.