Architecture Decision Process¶
Executive Summary¶
The Architecture Decision Process defines how significant architectural decisions are proposed, reviewed, approved, recorded, and revisited.
Why This Exists¶
Architecture decisions shape long-term product quality. Algosure needs a repeatable process so decisions are traceable, principle-aligned, and connected to Blueprint ownership.
Owner¶
The owner is the Chief Product Officer and Enterprise Architect.
Business Value¶
A disciplined decision process reduces arbitrary choices, supports enterprise auditability, and gives future teams the reasoning behind architectural direction.
Decision Lifecycle¶
stateDiagram-v2
[*] --> Proposed
Proposed --> Reviewed
Reviewed --> Approved
Reviewed --> Rejected
Reviewed --> Deferred
Approved --> Adopted
Adopted --> Superseded
Adopted --> Revisited
Revisited --> Reviewed
Rejected --> [*]
Deferred --> Proposed
Decision Categories¶
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Domain boundary | Bounded context split, merge, or ownership clarification. |
| Architecture style | Modular monolith, event-driven design, AIOS alignment. |
| Integration boundary | External partner integration, system contract, event consumption. |
| Security | Tenant isolation, authorization, audit, privacy, data access. |
| Data | Data ownership, retention, reporting, semantic memory, audit history. |
| AI | Digital Professional runtime boundary, explainability, memory, approval gates. |
| UX architecture | Mobile-first leadership flow, Board Room, War Room, approval experience. |
| Quality trade-off | Performance, availability, scalability, maintainability, cost, extensibility. |
Decision Record Standard¶
Every significant decision should document:
- Title.
- Status.
- Date.
- Decision owner.
- Context.
- Options considered.
- Decision.
- Rationale.
- Impact on Domains, Practices, AIOS, and Business Processes.
- Quality attribute implications.
- Risks.
- Follow-up actions.
- Review date.
Decision Criteria¶
| Criterion | Question |
|---|---|
| Blueprint alignment | Does the decision implement the Blueprint? |
| Ownership clarity | Does it preserve One Concept, One Owner? |
| Domain integrity | Does it preserve source fact ownership? |
| AIOS alignment | Does it support orchestration without ownership leakage? |
| Human accountability | Does it preserve approval gates for high-impact actions? |
| Security | Does it support zero trust and tenant isolation? |
| Testability | Can the decision be validated? |
| Evolvability | Can the decision evolve without excessive rework? |