BMAD-METHOD/docs/user-journeys/architecture-planning.md

Architecture Planning Journey

This document maps the complete journey of a System Architect planning technical architecture using the BMAD Method.

Persona Profile: System Architect

Name: Alex (System Architect)
Role: Technical Architect / Solutions Architect
Experience: 8+ years in software architecture
Goals:

• Design scalable, maintainable system architecture
• Make optimal technology selections
• Establish technical standards and patterns
• Ensure alignment between business needs and technical solutions

Pain Points:

• Balancing innovation with stability
• Managing technical debt
• Communicating complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Ensuring security and compliance requirements

Journey Map

journey
    title Architecture Planning User Journey
    section Requirements Analysis
      Gather business requirements: 3
      Analyze technical constraints: 3
      Define quality attributes: 4
    section Architecture Design
      Evaluate technology options: 4
      Design system components: 5
      Plan integration patterns: 3
    section Validation
      Review with stakeholders: 2
      Conduct technical validation: 4
      Refine architecture: 3
    section Implementation Planning
      Create implementation roadmap: 4
      Develop technical standards: 3
      Prepare knowledge transfer: 4

Detailed Journey Stages

1. Requirements Analysis Phase

Entry Point

• New system development initiative
• Major system enhancement
• Technical debt remediation project

Key Touchpoints

• Requirements Analysis Template: Structured approach to gathering needs
• BMAD Architect Persona: Guidance on architectural approach
• Quality Attributes Framework: Defining non-functional requirements

Decision Points

• ⭐ Architecture Scope: Determining boundaries and focus areas
  • Solution: Scope definition matrix with priority weighting
  • Success Metric: Architecture addresses 100% of critical requirements

Pain Points

• 🔴 Incomplete Business Requirements: Missing or ambiguous needs
  • Solution: Requirement elicitation workshop templates
  • Success Metric: Zero major requirement discoveries after design phase
• 🔴 Competing Quality Attributes: Balancing performance, security, etc.
  • Solution: Trade-off analysis framework
  • Success Metric: Documented rationale for all architectural decisions

2. Architecture Design Phase

Key Touchpoints

• Technology Evaluation: Assessing potential technologies
• Component Design: Defining system building blocks
• Integration Architecture: Planning system connections

Decision Points

• ⭐ Technology Selection: Choosing appropriate tech stack
  • Solution: Technology comparison matrix with weighted criteria
  • Success Metric: Selected technologies meet all critical requirements

Pain Points

• 🔴 Future-Proofing: Designing for unknown future needs
  • Solution: Extensibility pattern library
  • Success Metric: Architecture accommodates changes with minimal rework
• 🔴 Legacy Integration: Working with existing systems
  • Solution: Legacy integration pattern catalog
  • Success Metric: Seamless integration with all required systems

3. Validation Phase

Key Touchpoints

• Stakeholder Review: Presenting architecture to business stakeholders
• Technical Validation: Ensuring technical soundness
• Architecture Refinement: Incorporating feedback

Decision Points

• ⭐ Validation Approach: Choosing appropriate validation methods
  • Solution: Validation strategy selector based on project type
  • Success Metric: Zero critical issues discovered after validation

Pain Points

• 🔴 Communicating Technical Concepts: Explaining to non-technical audience
  • Solution: Visualization templates for different stakeholder types
  • Success Metric: Stakeholder comprehension rating above 4/5
• 🔴 Addressing Feedback: Balancing conflicting stakeholder input
  • Solution: Feedback prioritization framework
  • Success Metric: All critical feedback incorporated into final design

4. Implementation Planning Phase

Key Touchpoints

• Implementation Roadmap: Phased execution plan
• Technical Standards: Guidelines for development
• Knowledge Transfer: Educating implementation team

Decision Points

• ⭐ Implementation Approach: Big bang vs. incremental deployment
  • Solution: Implementation strategy decision tree
  • Success Metric: Zero business disruption during implementation

Pain Points

• 🔴 Resource Constraints: Limited implementation resources
  • Solution: Resource optimization planning tool
  • Success Metric: Implementation plan feasible with available resources
• 🔴 Knowledge Transfer: Ensuring development team understanding
  • Solution: Architecture training program template
  • Success Metric: Development team confidence rating above 4/5

Emotional Journey

journey
    title Emotional Journey - Architecture Planning
    section Requirements Analysis
      Interest in problem space: 4
      Concern about requirement clarity: 2
      Confidence after analysis: 4
    section Architecture Design
      Creative engagement: 5
      Stress over technical decisions: 3
      Satisfaction with design: 4
    section Validation
      Anxiety during stakeholder review: 2
      Relief after technical validation: 4
      Pride in refined architecture: 5
    section Implementation Planning
      Concern about execution challenges: 3
      Focus during standards development: 4
      Optimism about implementation: 4

Success Metrics

Metric	Target	Measurement Method
Requirements Coverage	100% of critical requirements	Traceability matrix
Stakeholder Approval	Unanimous approval	Sign-off tracking
Technical Debt	< 10% of planned debt	Architecture debt analysis
Implementation Feasibility	100% achievable with resources	Resource planning validation
Architecture Longevity	> 3 years before major revision	Architecture review cycles

Journey Optimization Opportunities

1. AI-Enhanced Requirements Analysis: Identify missing requirements automatically
2. Architecture Pattern Library: Accelerate design with proven patterns
3. Automated Architecture Validation: Verify design against best practices
4. Interactive Architecture Visualization: Improve stakeholder understanding
5. Implementation Simulation: Test architecture before development begins

Next Steps in User Journey

After completing the architecture planning journey, System Architects typically proceed to:

1. Implementation Guidance Journey - Supporting development teams
2. Architecture Evolution Journey - Managing architectural changes
3. Technical Debt Management Journey - Addressing architectural debt

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The architecture planning journey establishes the technical foundation for successful system implementation and long-term sustainability.