Architectural Decision Guidance Across Projects - Problem Space Modeling, Decision Backlog Management and Cloud Computing Knowledge

Architectural Knowledge Management (AKM) has been a major topic in software architecture research since 2004. Open AKM problems include an effective, seamless transition from reusable knowledge found in patterns books and technology blogs to project-specific decision guidance and an efficient, practical approach to knowledge application and maintenance. We extended our previous work with concepts for problem space modeling, focusing on reusable knowledge, as well as solution space management, focusing on project-level decisions. We implemented these concepts in ADMentor, an extension of Sparx Enterprise Architect. AD Mentor features rapid problem space modeling, UML model linkage, question-option-criteria diagram support, meta-information for model tailoring, as well as decision backlog management. We validated ADMentor by modeling and applying 85 cloud application design decisions and 75 workflow management decisions, creating one problem and three sample solution spaces covering control system architectures, and obtaining user feedback on tool and model content.