[Презентация] The Architecture Process Architecture is a process as well as a product. The product serves to guide managers in designing business processes and system developers in building applications in a way that is in line with business objectives and policies. The effects of the process reach further than the mere creation of the architecture product – the awareness of stakeholders with respect to business objectives and information flow will be raised. Also, once the architecture is created, it needs to be maintained. Businesses and IT are continually changing. This constant evolution is, ideally, a rational process. Change should only be initiated when people in power see an opportunity to strengthen business objectives. The architecture process consists of the usual steps that take an initial idea through design and implementation phases to an operational system, and finally changing or replacing this system, closing the loop. In all of the phases of the architecture process, clear communication with and between stakeholders is indispensable. The architecture descriptions undergo a life cycle that corresponds to this design process (Fig. 1.2). The different architecture products in this life cycle are discussed with stakeholders, approved, revised, etc., and play a central role in establishing a common frame of reference for all those involved.