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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
```mermaid title="Architecture Planning Journey" type="diagram" 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
- â 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
- â 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
- â 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
- â 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
```mermaid title="Emotional Journey" type="diagram" 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
- AI-Enhanced Requirements Analysis: Identify missing requirements automatically
- Architecture Pattern Library: Accelerate design with proven patterns
- Automated Architecture Validation: Verify design against best practices
- Interactive Architecture Visualization: Improve stakeholder understanding
- Implementation Simulation: Test architecture before development begins
Next Steps in User Journey
After completing the architecture planning journey, System Architects typically proceed to:
- Implementation Guidance Journey - Supporting development teams
- Architecture Evolution Journey - Managing architectural changes
- Technical Debt Management Journey - Addressing architectural debt
The architecture planning journey establishes the technical foundation for successful system implementation and long-term sustainability.