Dragon1 defines Application Architecture as 1) the total concept of an application landscape and 2) the total application concept of an organization or chain or network of organizations.
Go to the demo to create an Applications Architecture landscape.
Types of Application Architectures
As with building architecture, an application architecture consists of a specific type or style when there is a certain concept, principle or element dominant.
Suppose a hospital has many Windows applications and all these applications are monolithic (meaning they don't consist of replaceable modules), and these two aspects dominate everything and every change. One would that the type of application architecture for that hospital is a Monolithic Win32 Application Architecture.
Dragon1 suggests that every organization should be aware of the reference architectures in its industry or branch and what type of application architecture best fits their organization's size and ambition.
Read more about Applications Architecture on Wikipedia.
Overview of Common Application Concepts and Principles
Of course any organization is unique. But that said, there are many application concepts every organization uses, for instance, Windows 32 and monolithic applications.
Below is a summarization of common application concepts.
The reason many organizations have these concepts as part of their current state application architecture is that the IT solution they bought had them embedded.
Common Application Concepts:
- Windows 32 Application
- Monolithic Application
- Three-tier application
Application Architecture Example
Below is an example of application architecture with domains, concepts and principles. You can, of course, add other elements to it, like building blocks, standards, etc...
Application Architecture: Who is providing the applications?
Applications Landscape with AA Principles Projects
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
With Application Architecture Principles, we want to support decision-making and guide innovation projects. So everything that is not compliant with principles (that are required because of the strategy) blocks realizing business goals.
Visualizations showing this (as an issue and with a solution) will support decision-making and guide work in projects.