What are the most common challenges when evaluating architecture?

1 Stakeholder involvement

One of the main challenges when evaluating architecture is to ensure that the relevant stakeholders are involved in the process, and that their expectations, concerns, and perspectives are properly addressed. Stakeholders can include users, customers, developers, managers, testers, regulators, and others who have a stake in the system's success. However, identifying and engaging stakeholders can be difficult, especially in large and complex projects, where they may have conflicting or unclear requirements, or different levels of technical expertise. To overcome this challenge, it is important to use a systematic and inclusive approach to stakeholder analysis, communication, and participation, and to use appropriate techniques and tools to elicit, prioritize, and validate their needs and preferences.

2 Evaluation criteria

Another challenge when evaluating architecture is to define and apply the appropriate criteria that can measure the quality and performance of the architecture. Evaluation criteria can include functional and non-functional requirements, such as usability, reliability, security, scalability, maintainability, and others. However, defining and measuring these criteria can be challenging, as they may be vague, subjective, or context-dependent, or they may involve trade-offs or dependencies between different aspects of the system. To overcome this challenge, it is important to use a clear and consistent framework to specify and quantify the evaluation criteria, and to use suitable methods and metrics to collect and analyze the data and evidence that can support the evaluation.

3 Evaluation methods

Another challenge when evaluating architecture is to choose and apply the most effective and efficient methods that can provide useful and reliable feedback on the architecture. Evaluation methods can include analytical, experimental, or empirical techniques, such as reviews, inspections, simulations, prototypes, tests, surveys, or interviews. However, selecting and implementing these methods can be challenging, as they may have different strengths and weaknesses, costs and benefits, or assumptions and limitations, depending on the scope, goals, and context of the evaluation. To overcome this challenge, it is important to use a systematic and rational process to select and combine the most suitable methods for the evaluation, and to follow the best practices and guidelines to execute and document the methods.

5 Evaluation context

Another challenge when evaluating architecture is to consider and adapt to the context of the evaluation, and to ensure that the evaluation is relevant and realistic for the system and the environment. Evaluation context can include factors such as the system's domain, size, complexity, maturity, or lifecycle stage, or the evaluation's purpose, scope, timing, or resources. However, considering and adapting to these factors can be challenging, as they may change or evolve over time, or they may pose constraints or uncertainties, or they may require trade-offs or adjustments, for the evaluation. To overcome this challenge, it is important to use a flexible and adaptive approach to evaluation planning and execution, and to monitor and control the context factors, and to mitigate the risks or issues that may arise from them.

6 Evaluation skills

Another challenge when evaluating architecture is to have and develop the skills and competencies that are required for the evaluation. Evaluation skills can include technical, analytical, or interpersonal skills, such as knowledge, experience, judgment, creativity, communication, or collaboration. However, having and developing these skills can be challenging, as they may be scarce, diverse, or dynamic, or they may require continuous learning or improvement, or they may depend on the individual or the team, for the evaluation. To overcome this challenge, it is important to use a collaborative and supportive approach to evaluation team formation and management, and to provide and seek the training, coaching, mentoring, or feedback that can enhance the evaluation skills.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?