Authors:
Efi Papatheocharous
1
;
Kai Petersen
2
;
Jakob Axelsson
1
;
Claes Wohlin
2
;
Jan Carlson
3
;
Federico Ciccozzi
3
;
Séverine Sentilles
3
and
Antonio Cicchetti
3
Affiliations:
1
Swedish Institute of Computer Science, Sweden
;
2
Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden
;
3
Mälardalen University, Sweden
Keyword(s):
Software Engineering, Architecture Knowledge, Decision Documentation, Decision Canvas, Decision Template.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Service-Oriented Software Engineering and Management
;
Software and Systems Development Methodologies
;
Software Engineering
Abstract:
This paper introduces a decision canvas for capturing architecture decisions in software and systems engineering. The canvas leverages a dedicated taxonomy, denoted GRADE, meant for establishing the basics of the vocabulary for assessing and choosing architectural assets in the development of software-intensive systems. The canvas serves as a template for practitioners to discuss and document architecture decisions, i.e., capture, understand and communicate decisions among decision-makers and to others. It also serves as a way to reflect on past decision-making activities devoted to both tentative and concluding decisions in the development of software-intensive systems. The canvas has been assessed by means of preliminary internal and external evaluations with four scenarios. The results are promising as the canvas fulfills its intended objectives while satisfying most of the needs of the subjects participating in the evaluation.