Software Architecture Design Document (SADD)

A Software Architecture Design Document (SADD) is a software design document that captures high-level architectural decisions, component structures, and design rationale for software systems.

• AKA: Software Architecture Document, SAD, High-Level Design Document, Architecture Specification Document.
• Context:
  • It can typically capture Architectural Pattern through pattern documentation.
  • It can typically define Component Interface through interface specification.
  • It can typically establish System Constraint through constraint documentation.
  • It can typically document Design Decision through decision record.
  • It can typically specify Quality Attribute through attribute requirement.
  • ...
  • It can often include Deployment Architecture through deployment diagram.
  • It can often reference Technology Stack through technology selection.
  • It can often define Security Architecture through security control.
  • It can often establish Integration Pattern through integration specification.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Lightweight Software Architecture Design Document to being a Comprehensive Software Architecture Design Document, depending on its software architecture documentation depth.
  • It can range from being a Waterfall Software Architecture Design Document to being an Agile Software Architecture Design Document, depending on its software architecture development methodology.
  • It can range from being a Monolithic Software Architecture Design Document to being a Microservices Software Architecture Design Document, depending on its software architecture style.
  • It can range from being a Initial Software Architecture Design Document to being a Mature Software Architecture Design Document, depending on its software architecture evolution stage.
  • It can range from being a Generic Software Architecture Design Document to being a Domain-Specific Software Architecture Design Document, depending on its software architecture specialization level.
  • ...
  • It can integrate with Requirements Specification Document for requirement traceability.
  • It can connect to Technical Design Document for detailed design elaboration.
  • It can interface with Project Management Tool for milestone tracking.
  • It can communicate with Code Repository for implementation alignment.
  • It can synchronize with Architecture Review Board for governance compliance.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Enterprise Software Architecture Design Documents, such as:
    • Banking Software Architecture Design Documents, such as:
      • Core Banking Software Architecture Design Document for transaction processing system.
      • Digital Banking Software Architecture Design Document for customer channel system.
    • Healthcare Software Architecture Design Documents, such as:
      • Electronic Health Record Software Architecture Design Document for patient data management.
      • Medical Imaging Software Architecture Design Document for diagnostic imaging system.
  • Cloud Software Architecture Design Documents, such as:
    • SaaS Software Architecture Design Documents, such as:
      • Multi-Tenant Software Architecture Design Document for tenant isolation design.
      • Serverless Software Architecture Design Document for function-based architecture.
  • Mobile Software Architecture Design Documents, such as:
    • Cross-Platform Mobile Software Architecture Design Document for platform abstraction layer.
    • Native Mobile Software Architecture Design Document for platform-specific optimization.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Technical Design Document, which focuses on detailed implementation design rather than high-level architecture.
  • Requirements Specification Document, which captures functional requirements rather than architectural decisions.
  • API Documentation, which describes interface usage rather than architectural rationale.
• See: Technical Design Document, System Design Document, Architecture Decision Record, Solution Architecture Document, Design Pattern Document, Information System Architecture Document, Software Design Specification.

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