How do architecture patterns and tactics interact? A model and annotation
Journal of Systems and Software
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The existence of patterns is almost universal. The human mind seems to perceive patterns without conscious thought---we notice individual's personal habits because they form patterns. Patterns are also used in a number of engineering disciplines---software engineering, requirements engineering and mechanical engineering, to name a few. However, the value and use of patterns in architecting and engineering complex systems has had very limited exploration. The purpose of this research is to focus on understanding the motivations for using patterns in architecting and engineering complex systems, to understand whether patterns for this purpose have unique requirements. Emphasis is on the documentation of architectural patterns for enhanced utility and reuse. Other topics explored in this thesis include a pattern framework as a step towards a taxonomy of system patterns to facilitate pattern management and pattern repositories. With the goal of developing the notion and utility of patterns to the systems engineering community, this research develops a framework for their documentation, classification, and management which should allow their use and reuse, and their evolution and improvement. By capturing intrinsic systems engineering knowledge and expertise, patterns would also allow the application of this knowledge by less experienced architects and systems engineers. The systems engineering community now has a vehicle to build a maturing source of patterns that can be leveraged for enhanced engineering effectiveness and efficiency.