IEEE 1471 (IEEE Recommended Practice for Architectural Description)

IEEE 1471, now known as ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010, is a standard that guides how to effectively describe complex software and systems architectures. It emphasizes the importance of clearly defining the structure, components, and relationships within a system, as well as the viewpoints and stakeholders involved. The goal is to ensure all parties have a common understanding of the system’s design, alignment with requirements, and how different parts interact. This standard improves communication, decision-making, and system management by providing a structured approach to documenting and analyzing system architectures.