Software Architect's Handbook

Software requirements that affect architecture

As a software architect who is designing an architecture that will satisfy the requirements, complete and validated requirements are crucial to your job. Requirements, particularly the quality attributes, can greatly affect the architectural design.

However, the degree to which a particular requirement has an effect on the architecture varies. Some do not have any effect, while others have a profound one. You must be able to recognize the requirements that may affect decisions you are making architecturally.

Many times, the requirements that affect a software architecture's design are quality attributes. Therefore, you should pay particular attention to those. Be aware though that it is common ...