Term Definition: Architecture Aspects

An aspect is a vertical collection of viewpoints where there is a common set of characteristics that ties them together. Vertical in this context refers to particular architectural requirements or needs (i.e. characteristics). The four aspects defined in UAM are Data, Activity, Location, and People. The viewpoints describe the system at multiple levels of abstraction (i.e. four "perspectives"). It is similar to the notion of “vertical market” but more specific to IT architecture and the set of stakeholders interested in the aspect. See definitions for each of the four UAM aspects.

IT architectures are describe using four perspectives that are horizontal views of the IT architecture. Each perspective is in turn divided into four views called aspects. These four aspects are:

Aspect: Data - the "what" aspect of the architecture, what information and data the enterprise produces and consumes.
Aspect: Activity - the "how" aspect of the architecture, how the information (or other products of the enterprise) is produced and consumed.
Aspect: Location - the "where" aspect of the architecture, where the enterprise has a presence in order to conduct its business
Aspect: People - the "who" aspect of the architecture, who interacts with the enterprise, including partners, suppliers, customers and employees.

For definitions of the four perspectives, or "layers" or "views", see: Term Definition: Architecture Perspective.

Also see: Overview