Diagnosing architectural degeneration

Software systems evolve over time and undergo changes that can lead to a degeneration of the systems´ architecture. Degeneration may eventually reach a level where a complete redesign of the software system is necessary, which is a task that requires significant effort. In this paper, we start by presenting examples of such degeneration and continue with an analysis of technologies that can be used to diagnose degeneration. These technologies can be employed in identifying, degeneration so that it can be treated as early as possible, before it is too late and the system has to undergo a costly redesign.