STREAM-AP: A process to systematize architectural patterns choice based on NFR

The importance of non-functional requirements for computer systems is increasing. Satisfying these requirements require special attention to the software architecture, once an unsuitable architecture introduces greater complexity in addition to the intrinsic complexity of the system. Some studies have shown that, despite requirements engineering and software architecture activities act on different aspects of development, they must be performed iteratively and intertwined to produce satisfactory software systems. The STREAM process presents a systematic approach to reduce the gap between requirements and architecture development, emphasizing the functional requirements, being the non-functional ones used in an ad hoc way. However, nonfunctional requirements typically influence the system as a whole. This paper presents a process to improve STREAM in making the choice of architectural patterns from non-functional requirements, in order to guide the refinement of an architectural solution.