Managing IT Architecture (IBM module)
Compulsory module
10 credits
This module aims to introduce students to the theoretical concepts and practical methods for the design and evaluation of complex IT systems in terms of their architecture. IT Architecture – the abstract organisation of enterprise software systems – is one of the most critical areas of applied computing in business today as there is a strong demand to actively manage IT architectures in the context of today’s disparate and fast-changing IT landscape. Using a rich material of case studies this module will emphasise task and project-based learning.
In particular, the module aims to create an understanding of the need for IT architecture and the role of the IT architect. This includes an appreciation of the need for the IT architect to balance conflicting tensions between the different aspects of technical design, drawing on business, technical, project management and inter-personal concepts and skills.
The module is split in two parts: a series of lectures focusing on theoretical concepts, delivered by IBM IT Architects, and then a two-day workshop. This module gives the students an opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate architectural thinking through a series of lectures, practical exercises and a final presentation.
Syllabus
The lectures focus on the following topics:
- History of technical architecture
- What do IT Architects do?
- Fundamentals of sizing
- Computer security in architecture
- Tools of the architect trade
- Workshop: team-based two-day exercise with the goal to specify and define a system architecture based on a concrete case study, including a roleplay of presenting to a client
Select bibliography
- Len Bass, Paul Clements, and Rick Kazman. Software Architecture in Practice, 2nd Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2003.
- Paul Clements, Felix Bachmann, Len Bass, David Garlan, James Ivers, Reed Little, Robert Nord, and Judith Stafford. Documenting Software Architectures: Views and Beyond, Addison-Wesley, 2002.
- Paul Clements, Rick Kazman, and Mark Klein. Evaluating Software Architectures: Methods and Case Studies. Addison-Wesley, 2001.
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