Task: Define Candidate Solutions

This task focuses on identifying possible solutions for a chosen viewpoint.

Purpose

There is always more than one way to realize a main aspect of a system (viewpoint). The objective of this stage is to identify possible solutions for each previously identified viewpoints.

Relationships

Roles	Primary: System Architect	Additional:	Assisting:
Inputs	Mandatory: System Context Diagram System Operation System Use Case Viewpoints List	Optional: None	External: None
Outputs	System Architecture Structure Diagram System Use Case

Steps

Select a viewpoint

Select the system aspects (reflected in a viewpoint) for which an architectural analysis will be performed.

Create an initial decomposition

Depending on the viewpoint type, decompose the system into its viewpoint/view-specific elements and outline the significant collaborations that realize the main system's operations.

Look for alternatives

Based on your experience, on the existent and/or available assets, non-functional requirements, and other constraints, define alternate decompositions into main elements and their associated collaborations.

Select candidate solutions

Identify those solutions that will be considered as candidates for a detailed trade study analysis.

Create Trade Study Report

Capture the selected candidate solutions in the Trade Study Report.