Architecting Session Report

The Architecting session examined the development of software architectures. Seven papers were presented, covering both the state of the practice and new architecting approaches. Based on the paper presentations and subsequent discussions, we concluded that tool support is a barrier to adoption of methods, and that architectural knowledge, including domain-specific knowledge and understanding of patterns and styles is essential but difficult to communicate. A related issue, the documentation of an architecture, is similarly critical but not easy to do well, and better techniques and tools are needed. Finally, we agreed that agile methods do not bring fundamental changes to the practice of architecting.