TL;DR
Applying ADM means defining Architecture Building Blocks and shaping Solution Building Blocks. ABBs are identified mainly in Phases A-D, then selected ABBs are refined into SBBs in Phase E by buying, reusing, or developing solution options.
ADM and building blocks
Applying the Architecture Development Method means defining Architecture Building Blocks and shaping Solution Building Blocks.
This specification work is evolutionary and iterative.
It depends on:
- required functions
- imposed constraints
- available products
- business goals and objectives
- architecture decisions from earlier phases
ABBs first
Architecture Building Blocks, or ABBs, define what the architecture needs.
They describe required capabilities or architecture components without committing to a specific product or implementation.
ABBs are identified to meet business goals and objectives during:
- Phase A: Architecture Vision
- Phase B: Business Architecture
- Phase C: Information Systems Architectures
- Phase D: Technology Architecture
SBBs later
In Phase E: Opportunities and Solutions, selected ABBs are refined into Solution Building Blocks, or SBBs.
SBBs define how the required capability can be implemented.
They may be shaped by:
- purchasing a product
- reusing an existing solution
- developing a new solution
- combining several solution options
Why this is iterative
The move from ABBs to SBBs is not a one-time conversion.
As more detail becomes available, the architecture team may need to refine:
- required functions
- constraints
- assumptions
- available product choices
- implementation options
- fit with business goals
This is why building block specification is evolutionary and iterative.
Exam note
- Applying ADM includes defining Architecture Building Blocks and shaping Solution Building Blocks.
- ABBs define what is needed.
- SBBs define how the need will be implemented.
- ABBs are identified mainly in Phases A, B, C, and D.
- In Phase E, selected ABBs are refined into SBBs.
- SBBs may be purchased, reused, or developed.
- This level of detail is more important for deeper ADM understanding than for a high-level Part 1 exam view.