Software and Systems Architecture in Action

Chapter 3

Establishing Broad Functional Understanding

3.1 Introduction

In the previous chapter, we learned how to capture, in a concrete and actionable form, expectations stakeholders have for the system under consideration. These expectations are tied to higher-level business goals or mission objectives that define the purpose for which a system is being created. A system, however, exists within a context or operates within an external environment. Understanding a system’s operational aspects within its environment is also extremely important. It helps clearly delineate where a system’s boundary is, what elements in its external environment a system must interact with, and what those interactions are.

In military and government projects, the ...