Foundation Architecture

Intro

Foundation architecture is a set of generic building blocks, their relations, and guiding principles. It matters because it provides a base to build more specific architectures.

Key points:

• Defines reusable components and standards.
• Enables consistency across solutions and domains.
• Common use cases: platform services (Tech), reference models (EA), shared integration patterns.
• Pitfall: keeping it too abstract to be applied in real projects.

Examples:

• Identity, logging, and monitoring as common services.
• Canonical data models and integration standards.
• Baseline security controls enforced across solutions.

In practice:

Publish building blocks and principles with implementation guidance and keep them versioned.

Related terms: architecture-building-blocks; reference-architecture; enterprise-continuum

FAQs:

Q: How is foundation architecture used?
A: As a base to tailor organization‑specific architectures.

Q: Who maintains it?
A: Architecture governance and domain leads.

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