The MBASE Life Cycle Architecture Milestone Package

This paper summarizes the primary criteria for evaluating software/system architectures in terms of key system stakeholders’ concerns. It describes the Model Based Architecting and Software Engineering (MBASE) approach for concurrent definition of a system’s architecture, requirements, operational concept, prototypes, and life cycle plans. It summarizes our experiences in using and refining the MBASE approach on 31 digital library projects. It concludes that a Feasibility Rationale demonstrating consistency and feasibility of the various specifications and plans is an essential part of the architecture’s definition, and presents the current MBASE annotated outline and guidelines for developing such a Feasibility Rationale.