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OT2004 Session

Getting to Grips with Architecture Using Viewpoints and Perspectives

A practical, interactive tutorial where an approach to software architecture using viewpoints for system structure and perspectives for system quality properties is explained.

Monday March, 09:45

tutorial -    150 minutes

Nick Rozanski
Eoin Woods

 
Session results
 When available, can be found at GettingToGripsWithArchitectureUsingViewpointsAndPerspectivesSessionResults??
Abstract
Most proposed approaches to software and systems architecture today suggest an approach to design and description based on the use of a number of related viewpoints. A recent IEEE standard for recommended practice (1471) standardises this approach for architectural description.

In practice, a lot of software architects haven't really heard much about viewpoints and their use in architectural description. Fewer still have had the chance to work with other architects to identify the set of viewpoints that are necessary and useful when designing systems of various types.

This tutorial will introduce the viewpoint oriented approach for those unfamiliar with it and provide an update on recent developments (such as IEEE 1471). It will then introduce a number of different existing viewpoint sets and move on to a group exercise where the tutorial participants work together to identify the viewpoint sets relevant to the kinds of systems that they work on.

A limitation of the viewpoint oriented approach is that it doesn't explicitly guide the architect in dealing with the system's quality properties that are so crucial to building effective large scale systems. A new concept - the perspective - will be introduced for dealing with quality properties during architectural definition. Again, a number of existing perspectives will be introduced and a group exercise will allow participants to identify those which are of most relevance to their application domains.

Audience
Primarily software designers and architects with experience on at least a couple of significant system developments. However others (like managers or technology consultants) may also find the viewpoint based approach very relevant and would be most welcome to bring their experiences and points of view too.
Benefits
  • An introduction to, or an update on, the viewpoint and perspective based approach to architectural description
  • The opportunity to think carefully about how this could be applied to the development of the participants own systems
  • The opportunity to work with other participants to identify viewpoint and perspective sets that would be particularly suited to certain types of system

Materials
  • A tutorial presentations on viewpoints and perspectives.
  • Example viewpoint and perspective definitions

 

Nick Rozanski

BlackRock 		I currently lead the Enterprise Architecture Group at Blackrock (who acquired my former employer, Barclays Global Investors, in December 2010) in London. Our remit is to own the vision and roadmap for IT, provide guidance and support to project and programmes, support Blackrock's planning and investment decisions, and foster innovation where it delivers business value.

Prior to joining BGI I was Lead Technical Architect for Marks and Spencer. I led a team which was responsible for application services - integration, data management, application hosting, and lifecycle support.

I have also worked as an IT consultant for employers including The French Thornton Partnership, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Sybase Professional Services, Praxis and Logica. Over the years I have taken senior roles on projects for a wide range of public and private sector clients.

I have written a book on software architecture with EoinWoods. It's called "Software Systems Architecture" and you can find out about it here: http://www.viewpoints-and-perspectives.info/

I play first violin for the Kingston Chamber Orchestra (for whom I am also the Webmaster). We rehearse weekly and perform three or four concerts a year. Our repertoire ranges from the Baroque period through to the twentieth century, including some specially-commissioned pieces.

I am also a school chair of governors and an Urgent Action letter writer for Amnesty International.

I am a CEng (Chartered Engineer) and FBCS (Chartered Fellow of the British Computer Society).

Eoin Woods

BlackRock 		Eoin Woods has been working in software engineering of some sort since 1990. He has worked for a number of companies in that time, including Ford, Group Bull, Sybase, InterTrust and UBS Investment Bank, as well as working as an independent consultant for a spell. Today, Eoin works for BlackRock?? as the software architect for a new equities portfolio management system and the head of the firm's application architecture group.

He has been a regular OT and SPA attendee since the late 1990s and has led sessions at many of the recent conferences in the series. He was the programme chair of SPA2007 and programme co-chair of SPA2008, in conjunction with IvanMoore.

For those who were wondering, you pronounce Eoin's name "Owen". It's an Irish name (Eoin originally hailing from Northern Ireland). To find out more about Irish names, take a look at http://www.faqs.org/faqs/cultures/irish-faq/part09/.

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