The method framework for engineering system architectures / Donald G. Firesmith ; with Peter Capell [and others].

"An Auerbach book."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 459-466) and index.

Cover -- Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Foreword -- Preface -- 1 Introduction -- 1.1 To Begin ... -- 1.2 Why This Book Is Needed -- 1.3 Why System Architecture Is Critical to Success -- 1.4 Why System Architecture Engineering Is Critical to Architecture -- 1.5 A Common System Architecture Engineering Method Is Insufficient -- 2 System Architecture Engineering Challenges -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 General Systems Architecture Engineering Challenges -- 2.3 Challenges Observed in System Architecture Engineering Practice -- 2.4 Challenges Observed in Systems Architecture Engineering Methods -- 2.5 Reasons for Improved Systems Architecture Engineering Methods -- 2.6 Summary of the Challenges -- 3 System Architecture Engineering Principles -- 3.1 The Importance of Principles -- 3.2 The Individual Principles -- 3.3 Summary of the Principles -- 4 MFESA: An Overview -- 4.1 The Need for MFESA -- 4.2 MFESA Goal and Objectives -- 4.3 What Is MFESA? -- 4.4 Inputs -- 4.5 Outputs -- 4.6 Assumptions -- 4.7 Relationships with Other Disciplines -- 4.8 Guidelines -- 4.9 Summary -- 5 MFESA: The Ontology of Concepts and Terminology -- 5.1 The Need for Mastering Concepts and Their Ramifications -- 5.2 Systems -- 5.3 System Architecture -- 5.4 Architectural Structures -- 5.5 Architectural Styles, Patterns, and Mechanisms -- 5.6 Architectural Drivers and Concerns -- 5.7 Architectural Representations -- 5.8 Architectural Models, Views, and Focus Areas -- 5.9 Architecture Work Products -- 5.10 Architectural Visions and Vision Components -- 5.11 Guidelines -- 5.12 Pitfalls -- 5.13 Summary -- 6 Task 1: Plan and Resource the Architecture Engineering Effort -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Goal and Objectives -- 6.3 Preconditions -- 6.4 Inputs -- 6.5 Steps -- 6.6 Postconditions -- 6.7 Work Products -- 6.8 Guidelines -- 6.9 Pitfalls -- 6.10 Summary -- 7 Task 2: Identify the Architectural Drivers -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Goal and Objectives -- 7.3 Preconditions -- 7.4 Inputs -- 7.5 Steps -- 7.6 Postconditions -- 7.7 Work Products -- 7.8 Guidelines -- 7.9 Pitfalls -- 7.10 Summary -- 8 Task 3: Create the First Versions of the Most Important Architectural Models -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Goal and Objectives -- 8.3 Preconditions -- 8.4 Inputs -- 8.5 Steps -- 8.6 Postconditions -- 8.7 Work Products -- 8.8 Guidelines -- 8.9 Pitfalls -- 8.10 Summary -- 9 Task 4: Identify Opportunities for the Reuse of Architectural Elements -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Goal and Objectives -- 9.3 Preconditions -- 9.4 Inputs -- 9.5 Steps -- 9.6 Postconditions -- 9.7 Work Products -- 9.8 Guidelines -- 9.9 Pitfalls -- 9.10 Summary -- 10 Task 5: Create the Candidate Architectural Visions -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 Goal and Objectives -- 10.3 Preconditions -- 10.4 Inputs -- 10.5 Steps -- 10.6 Postconditions -- 10.7 Work Products -- 10.8 Guidelines -- 10.9 Pitfalls -- 10.10 Summary -- 11 Task 6: Analyze Reusable Components and Their Sources -- 11.1 Introduction -- 11.2 Goal and Objectives -- 11.3 Preconditions -- 11.4 Inputs -- 11.5 Steps -- 11.6 Postconditions -- 11.7 Work Products -- 11.8 Guid.

"The Method Framework for Engineering System Architectures (MFE5A) enables system architects and process engineers to create methods for effectively and efficiently engineering high-quality architectures for systems, subsystems, and software components."--Jacket.