[Your Feature Name] Architecture Inspection Checklist
status: draft
security: YES
safety: ASIL_B
tags: template, feature_name

Attention

The above directive must be updated according to your Feature.

  • Modify Your Feature Name to be your Feature Name

  • Modify id to be your Feature Name in lower snake case preceded by doc__ and followed by _arc_inspection

  • Adjust status to be valid

  • Adjust safety, security and tags according to your needs

Architecture Inspection Checklist#

Purpose#

The purpose of the software architecture checklist is to ensure that the design meets the criteria and quality as defined per project processes and guidelines for feature and component architectural design elements. It helps to check the compliance with requirements, identify errors or inconsistencies, and ensure adherence to best practices. The checklist guides evaluation of the architecture design, identifies potential problems, and aids in communication and documentation of architectural decisions to stakeholders.

Checklist#

Table 61 Architecture Design Review Checklist#

Review Id

Acceptance criteria

Type

Guidance

passed

Remarks

Issue link

ARC_01_01

Is the traceability from software architectural elements to requirements, and other level architectural elements (e.g. component to interface) established according to the “Relations between the architectural elements” as described in Architecture Process (doc_concept__arch_process)?

automated

Trace should be checked automatically by tool support in the future. It will be removed from the checklist once the requirement (Correlations of the architectural building blocks (gd_req__arch_build_blocks_corr)) is implemented. Refer to Tool Requirements for the current status.

ARC_01_02

If the architectural element is related to any supplier manuals (incl. safety and security) are the relevant parts covered?

manual

If the architecture makes use of supplied elements, their manuals (like safety) have to be considered (i.e. its provided functionality matches the expectation and assumptions are fulfilled). Note that in case of safety component this means that assumed Technical Safety Requirements and AoUs of the safety manual are covered.

ARC_01_03

Is the architectural element traceable to the lower level artifacts as defined by the workproduct traceability?

automated

Will be removed from checklist once the requirement (Correlations of the architectural building blocks (gd_req__arch_build_blocks_corr)) is implemented by automated tool check. See Tool Requirements. Details of possible linking can be depicted from traceability concept.

ARC_02_01

Is the software architecture design compliant with the (overall) feature architecture?

manual

On component level check against the feature architecture, on feature level check other features with common components used.

ARC_02_02

Is appropriate and comprehensible operation/interface naming present in the architectural design?

manual

Check Architectural Design (gd_guidl__arch_design)

ARC_02_03

Are correctness of data flow and control flow within the architectural elements considered?

manual

E.g. examine definitions, transformations, integrity, and interaction of data; check error handling, data exchange between elements, correct response to inputs and documented decision making. Note: consistency is ensured by the process/tooling, by defining each interface only once.

ARC_02_04

Are the interfaces between the software architectural element and other architectural elements well-defined?

manual

Check if the interface reacts on non-defined behavior or errors; can established protocols be used; are the interfaces for inputs, outputs, error codes documented; is loose coupling considered and only limited exposure; can unit or integration test be written against the interface; data amount transferred; no sensitive data exposure;

ARC_02_05

Does the software architectural element consider the timing constraints (from the parent requirement)?

manual

If there are hard requirements on the timing a programming time estimation should be performed and also deadline supervision considered.

ARC_02_06

Is the documentation of the software architectural element, including textual and graphical descriptions (e.g., UML diagrams), comprehensible and complete?

manual

Use of semi-formal notation is expected for architectural elements with an allocated ASIL level. Is the architecture template correctly filled?

ARC_03_01

Is the architectural element modular and encapsulated?

manual

Check e.g. that only minimal interfaces are used. Design should be object oriented. Interfaces and interactions are clearly defined. Usage of access types (private, protected) properly set. Limited global variables.

ARC_03_02

Is the suitability of the software architecture for future modifications and maintainability considered?

manual

Check for e.g. loose coupling, separation of concerns, high cohesion, versioning strategy for interfaces, decision records, use of established design patterns.

ARC_03_03

Are simplicity and avoidance of unnecessary complexity present in the software architecture?

manual

Indicators for complexity are: number of use cases (corresponding to dynamic diagrams) allocated to single design element, number of interfaces and operations in an interface, function parameters, global variables, complex types, limited comprehensibility.

Note: If the “number” above exceeds “3” a design rationale is mandatory (for all types)

ARC_03_04

Is the software architecture design following best practices and design principles?

manual

Refer to architectural guidelines and recommendations within the project documentation.