Solution Architecture Framework - Core Dimensions

The SAF is broken down into seven dimensions, each with a set of architectural requirements which will describe what elements need to be in place and to allow a subsequent appraisal of those elements and their appropriateness.

Core Dimensions

Dimension	Description
Strategic Alignment, Vision, and Roadmap	Describes how well the solution architecture aligns with our strategic direction, our policies, and principles.
Decision making and governance	Are we following governance processes, managing risk and issues, communicating with our stakeholders? Are we managing technical debt? Do we have a framework in place to make decisions which are based on understanding need, options analysis, clear rationale, and management of trade-offs? Are we communicating those decisions?
Solution Design and Methods	Are we following recognised industry best practice in our designs e.g. separation of concerns? Are we giving sufficient focus to ensure interoperability / integration is built into our designs from day one, using the right patterns and standards?
Technology Choices	Are we making the right technology choices in line with our technology radar and other strategic choices?
Non-functional profile	Do we understand the non-functional needs of the service, are we creating a solution which can meet those need and be flexible, without over engineering?
Reuse Principles and Development of Shared Services	Are we building reuseable components, are we reusing what we have already in an effective manner?
Documentation	Are we documenting the architectures to an appropriate level of detail, are we following our standards around Enterprise Architecture tooling? Is documentation open and shared?

Updated: 21 May 2025 (SAF Version 1.0)