Applying the concept of patterns to systems architecture

While much has been written about patterns in software engineering, little has been written about their application to systems architecting. This paper provides a discussion of patterns and their potential applicability to complex system architecting. A historical introduction to the concept of patterns is provided along with their evolution from the domain of civil architecture to other engineering disciplines and domains. The relevance and applicability of patterns to systems architecting is then examined. Research with regard to developing a pattern form for documenting patterns for systems architecting is presented, and this is demonstrated on a command and control pattern, using both IDEF0 and UML. The application of this pattern within a functional architecture is then explored. Finally, recommendations for the development and management of a systems architecting and architecting pattern repository are offered. © 2007 Wiley Periodiocals, Inc. Syst Eng 10: 138–154, 2007