Architecture-as-Code (AaC)¶
Product
A practical approach that makes architecture living, versioned, and part of everyday delivery.
Architecture-as-Code turns architectural direction and decisions into assets that evolve together with the systems they describe.
Product overview¶
Architecture-as-Code replaces static architecture documents with a structured, code-based representation of architectural knowledge.
The product provides a way to:
- capture architectural direction, principles, and decisions in a consistent format
- keep architecture versioned, reviewable, and traceable over time
- integrate architectural thinking into normal development workflows
The result is architecture that stays relevant as systems and organisations change.
What the product contains¶
Architecture-as-Code is delivered as a coherent product consisting of several connected parts:
Architectural direction¶
A clear, evolving description of target architecture, guiding principles, and long-term intent — expressed in a way that supports gradual change rather than big-bang transformations.
Decision records¶
A structured approach to capturing important architectural decisions, including context, alternatives, trade-offs, and consequences. Decisions become searchable, linkable, and revisitable instead of tribal knowledge.
Technology alignment¶
A shared view of technology choices and positions, making it explicit what is encouraged, under evaluation, discouraged, or deprecated — reducing fragmentation and ad-hoc decisions.
Structure and ownership¶
Clear boundaries between domains, systems, and responsibilities, helping teams understand what they own and how their work fits into the bigger picture.
Key capabilities¶
| Capability | What it enables |
|---|---|
| Versioned architecture | Architecture evolves with change and can be reviewed, compared, and rolled back. |
| Traceable decisions | Clear links between architectural intent, decisions, and implementation. |
| Built for change | Direction and principles support incremental evolution instead of rigid plans. |
| Guided autonomy | Teams move fast within clearly defined boundaries and expectations. |
| Single source of truth | Architectural knowledge is accessible, current, and shared. |
When Architecture-as-Code fits¶
- Architecture documentation is outdated or scattered
- Important decisions are made but quickly forgotten
- Teams struggle to understand direction or constraints
- Technology choices drift without a shared rationale
- You want governance without heavy process
Typical outcomes¶
- Faster and more confident decision-making
- Reduced rework caused by unclear or implicit architecture
- Easier onboarding through a shared architectural picture
- Less dependency on individual experts
- Architecture that supports delivery instead of slowing it down
Architecture-as-Code is not about enforcing control — it is about creating clarity, continuity, and confidence in how systems evolve.