System architecture

Designing IT systems to optimize benefits

A sound architecture is an essential part of delivering or integrating IT systems successfully. Yet architecture is all too frequently seen as a detailed technical activity and is consequently driven by technical issues, IT suppliers or short-term project considerations. This can result in delivery problems or failure to realize the full benefits from the delivered systems. PA sees system architecture as key to realizing the overall business goals for an IT system. Our approach, therefore, focuses on designing an architecture to optimize the cost and benefits of an IT system throughout its life, rather than simply solving a technical problem.

PA’s techniques allow the analysis and development of the architecture from a number of perspectives – information, application structure, technology, physical deployment – but also ensure that these views are not developed in isolation from each other. The techniques are not structured into a rigid methodology; instead, a 'toolkit' approach is adopted, combining the most suitable techniques to analyze, design and document the architecture.

From the point of view of the business, the end result is a system which is fit-for-purpose. In addition, by exposing the trade-offs between cost, benefit and risk during the design process, business sponsors are able to make informed choices between the options available to them.