IT Architecture Principles

Architecture of Information Systems is a discipline focused on using known, sometimes unknown technologies, and often times looking into a murky future for possible technologies to improve how information is accessed, consumed and used. How do I like to view and consider the idea, the concept of Information Technology? It is the Arts and Crafts needed to Gather, Access, Store and Secure Information for an intended user community.

From the context of Architecture, the original and true form, do we as IT architects differ in the scale and scope in the focus of our design. Is this a possible way of thinking about Architecture and IT Architecture; the room (IT Function), the house (IT Application), the neighbourhood (User Community), the town (Company), the city (Partners), the province/state/country (Marketplace)?

Should we hold these as natural principles for IT Architecture?

1. It does not matter how small the information system or its components are, it must connect to something to be of value. Metcalfe’s Law
2. Define and agree on levels of abstraction, eg
   1. System, Subsystem, Component
   2. Domain, Business Process, Logical, Physical
3. The assembling of capabilities, technologies, need to align with the needs of the one user and to the many users that will have many different viewpoints.
4. Buildings like information systems are never really finished, new owners have new requirements; technology evolves, fashions – needs and wants – change, life intervenes
5. Observe the precedent set by the previous design generation, however the follow the new needs, the new target states as guideposts to modify and/or enhance the design.
   1. We know life evolves and changes and adaptation is key
   2. A need for continual ‘tweaking’ to lessen the amount of replacement and more re-use.
6. Building Information Systems is analogous to building our cities and towns.
   1. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/aa480026%2528v%253dmsdn.10%2529There are lessons to be learned from the Architects of our neighbourhoods and cities.
7. Technology Architecture Principles should help Enable the Business meet its Strategic Goals, like the building a Data Centre

 

Some example of IT Principles

Principle:    Information is Accessible

Statement: Flexible, Scalable and Robust IT Infrastructure ensuring a positive user experience in gathering, accessing, storing and securing ‘their’ Information

Principle:    Planned Management of IT Infrastructures

Statement: Understanding every individual technology component and its relationships is paramount to a secure production environment and assurance for business continuity

Principle:    An Organization’s IT Interconnectedness

Statement: Networks should be secure, resilient and fully redundant with no single points of failure, and designed for growth