Defining Software Architecture
What Is Software Architecture?
The software architecture of a program or computing system is a depiction of the system that aids in the understanding of how the system will behave.
Software architecture serves as the blueprint for both the system and the project developing it, defining the work assignments that must be carried out by design and implementation teams. The architecture is the primary carrier of system qualities such as performance, modifiability, and security, none of which can be achieved without a unifying architectural vision. Architecture is an artifact for early analysis to make sure that a design approach will yield an acceptable system. By building effective architecture, you can identify design risks and mitigate them early in the development process.
Learn more about the SEI's work in software architecture.
Learn more about the SEI's open positions in Architecture Practices.
Welcome from the SEI
Our Mission in Architecture
For almost two decades, the SEI has been instrumental in the creation and development of the field of software engineering known as software architecture. Operated by Carnegie Mellon University—a global research university recognized worldwide for its innovative work—and funded by the federal government, the SEI solves real-world problems by conducting research, developing tools and methods, providing consulting services, and publishing case studies.
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Guide To Publications And Presentations
The SEI has a rich body of influential and widely cited reports, presentations, and books in the field of software architecture. These publications present research results, case studies, and practitioner experience with architecture-centric practices, tools, and methods.
SEI publications in software architecture provide information about practices and techniques for predictably and efficiently designing, constructing, and guiding the evolution of software-reliant systems with the qualities needed to meet business and mission goals.
About SEI Publications
The SEI publishes and makes available free downloads of reports that offer new technical information about software engineering topics, whether theoretical or applied. The SEI also publishes books on software engineering for industry, government, and military applications and practices.
- Interoperability in the e-Government Context Technical Report - January 2012
- Best Practices for Artifact Versioning in Service-Oriented Systems Technical Report - January 2012
- Proceedings of the Fourth International Workshop on a Research Agenda for Maintenance and Evolution of Service-Oriented Systems (MESOA 2010) Technical Report - September 2011
- Architecting Service-Oriented Systems Technical Report - August 2011
- Adaptive Flow Control for Enabling Quality of Service in Tactical Ad Hoc Wireless Networks Technical Report - December 2010
- Architecting Service-Oriented Systems Technical Report - August 2011
- Quality Attributes Technical Report - December 1995
- The Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method Technical Report - August 1998
- Quality Attribute Workshops (QAWs), Third Edition Technical Report - October 2003
- Attribute-Driven Design (ADD), Version 2.0 Technical Report - November 2006
- Use of ACE for Improving a Software System Webinar - November 2012
- SEI Agile Research Forum: Strategic Management of Architectural Technical Debt Webinar - August 2012
- Architecting Software the SEI Way--Software Architecture Fundamentals: Technical, Business, and Social Influences Webinar - April 2012
- Architecting Software the SEI Way--Architecture Evaluation: A Tool for Designing Systems That Meet Users' Needs Webinar - April 2012
- Software Architecture in Practice, Third Edition Book - September 2012
- Model-Based Engineering with AADL: An Introduction to the SAE Architecture Analysis & Design Language Book - September 2012
- Documenting Software Architectures: Views and Beyond, Second Edition Book - September 2010
- Modernizing Legacy Systems: Software Technologies, Engineering Processes, and Business Practices Book - February 2003
- Evaluating Software Architectures: Methods and Case Studies Book - November 2001
Guide To Certificates And Training
Training in Software Architecture from SEI Experts
The SEI offers software architecture courses and certification programs. People from more than 900 organizations have attended SEI courses, and more than 1,800 of them have earned certificates conferred by the SEI for taking a series of architecture-related SEI courses. These courses are informed by the experiences of SEI staff members working directly with organizations over the past two decades and helping them to achieve significant cost reductions, quicker time to market, and higher product quality by applying architecture-centric practices to the development of their systems.
Software professionals can complete one or more of three software architecture certificate programs. These programs are based on completion of specific sequences in the software architecture curriculum, as depicted below. For more information on these software architecture certificates, please visit the SEI Professional Certificates in Architecture website.
About SEI Training
Learn from Our Experts
Since its creation, the SEI has defined and advocated methods for building high-quality software. Training from the SEI enables individuals to benefit from SEI research and practice. The same technical experts who conduct the research and apply these practices in real settings are actively engaged in developing and delivering the SEI's training courses.
- upcoming training
- software architecture professional certificate
- soa architect certificate
- atam evaluator certificate
- e-learning courses
- Documenting Software Architectures May 6-7, 2013
- Documenting Software Architectures - eLearning
- Software Architecture Design and Analysis March 18-19, 2013
- Software Architecture: Principles & Practices - eLearning
- Software Architecture: Principles and Practices April 22-23, 2013
- Software Product Lines March 20-21, 2013
- Software Product Lines - eLearning
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