Design Phase: The Business Leader's Playbook of Software Development, #3

By Michael Afar

Business leaders and managers are expected to not only understand the goals of their organizations but also effectively collaborate with technical teams  throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Design Phase – Business Architecture and System Architecture is an essential resource designed to help leaders actively engage with consultants and technical staff during this pivotal stage.

The book explains the use of enterprise and business architecture frameworks, such as the Zachman Framework, to provide clarity on how different components of a business—data, function, people, network, and motivation—are represented and modeled in system design.  The book emphasizes the role of business leaders in system architecture and details how their involvement can impact system design from defining business requirements to participating in governance and decision-making.

The Table of Contents of the book comprises:

I.            Glossary

II.           Introduction

About this Publication

III.          Information Technology Project Phases

IV.         Impact of AI on SDLC

1.           System Development Phases

2.           Design Phase

A.       Overview of the Design Phase

B.       About Use Cases

2.1.        Enterprise Architecture

2.2.        Business Architecture

2.2.1.        Row 1 – Contextual (Planner's View)

2.2.1.1.   Row 1 – Column 1 - Data

2.2.1.2.   Row 1 – Column 2 - Function

2.2.1.3.   Row 1 – Column 3 - Network

2.2.1.4.   Row 1 – Column 4 – People

2.2.1.5.   Row 1 – Column 5 – Time

2.2.1.6.   Row 1 – Column 6 – Motivation (Why)

2.2.2.        Row 2 – Conceptual (Owner's View)

2.2.2.1.   Row 2 – Column 1 – Data

2.2.2.2.   Row 2 – Column 2 – Function

2.2.2.3.   Row 2 – Column 3 – Network

2.2.2.4.   Row 2 – Column 4 – People

2.2.2.5.   Row 2 – Column 5 – Time

2.2.2.6.   Row 2 – Column 6 – Motivation (Why)

2.3.        System Architecture

2.3.1.        Aspects of Business Involvement in System Architecture

1.      Defining Business Requirements

2.      Setting Strategic Objectives

3.      Participation in Design and Planning

4.      Governance and Decision-Making

5.      Change Management and User Adoption

6.      Continuous Improvement and Feedback

2.3.2.        Zachman Framework Business Involvement in System Architecture

1.      Data Architecture (Column 1 – What)

2.      Application Architecture (Column 2 – How)

3.      Network Architecture (Column 3 – Where)

4.      User Architecture (Column 4 – Who)

5.      Process Architecture (Column 5 – When)

6.      Motivation Architecture (Column 6 – Why)

2.3.3.        Business Leaders Must Get Involved in System Architecture

Appendix A – Use Cases

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Afar
• Release date: Jul 4, 2025
• ISBN: 9798231957538

Book preview

I.  Glossary

A table of informational text AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Table 1 – Glossary

II.  Introduction

​​About this Publication

A person in a suit and tie Description automatically generated This document is prepared for the business manager/leader who needs to understand Information Technology (IT) and oversee the development of an IT project such as initial systems development, modernization, or the reengineering of business processes.  The document outlines software development phases, processes, and the systems language.  It identifies potential pitfalls in software development and provides the business manager with the tools to effectively carry on the work in a do-it-yourself environment or oversee the work of external consultants and/or his/her own systems development personnel. 

This volume addresses the third phase of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), that of the Design Phase (see III below).  It encompasses the development of:

a)  Business Architecture

  Includes creating and designing a blueprint for the organization's business operations, processes, and systems. It involves understanding the organization's goals, objectives, and functional requirements, and translating them into a structured and coherent framework. The document is developed using a methodology capturing: the What, How, Where, Who, When and Why systematically gathering information and analyzing situations from multiple perspectives, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding.

b)  Systems Architecture

  Document the structural and technical delivery solutions. This involves capturing the design and implementation details of the system or solution being developed;

  Develop the Physical Data Model representing the database design that reflects the specific hardware and software requirements for implementation.

  Develop the Logical Data Model representing the organization's data requirements without considering the specific technology or implementation details. The model will focus on defining the structure, relationships, and business rules of the data within an organization.

  Develop the Integration models (portal services, presentation services, data, security, etc.) focusing the approach or framework used to integrate various systems, applications, or components within an organization or across different organizations.

We urge the business manager/leader to read and use as much detail from this publication which is deemed necessary for his/her project.  By reading and understanding the design component of software development, the business manager/leader will be able to grasp the intricacies involved in identifying and defining business requirements, understanding user needs, and translating them into technical specifications. This knowledge will allow the business manager/leader to make informed decisions regarding system design, development, and implementation. Furthermore, understanding design will enable him/her to actively participate in the decision-making process and provide valuable input during systems development projects. It will help to align business objectives with technological capabilities, ensuring that the solutions developed meet specific needs in the most efficient and effective manner.

III. 

Information Technology Project Phases

The chart below summarizes the end-to-end phases of developing an Information Technology project.

Figure 1- Information Technology Project Phases

The brown italicized text signifies the difference if the project is COTS oriented. COTS (Commercial Off the Shelf) products are packaged solutions which are then adapted (configured/customized) to satisfy the needs of the purchasing organization. 

The red oval defines the scope of this publication.

IV. 

Impact of AI on SDLC

A diagram of a software development process Description automatically generated The impact of AI on the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is profound and multifaceted. AI technology streamlines the SDLC by automating tasks like coding, testing, and bug detection, leading to faster development cycles and improved software quality. Additionally, AI enhances decision-making through predictive analytics and continuous feedback, ensuring that systems are more adaptable and aligned with business needs.

Benefits

Increased Productivity: By automating repetitive tasks and providing intelligent assistance, AI allows developers to focus on more complex and value-added activities.

Improved Quality: AI-driven testing and bug detection improve code quality and reduce the number of defects in production.

Faster Time-to-Market: AI accelerates various phases of the SDLC, resulting in shorter development cycles and faster delivery of new features and products.

Enhanced Decision-Making: AI provides data-driven insights and predictions, aiding in better decision-making throughout the SDLC.

Cost Savings: Automation and optimization reduce the need for manual intervention and rework, leading to significant cost savings.

Challenges

Integration: Integrating AI tools into existing SDLC processes and workflows can be complex and require significant changes.

Skill Requirements: Developers and other team members need to acquire new skills to effectively leverage AI technologies.

Data Quality: AI systems rely on high-quality data for training and operation. Ensuring data accuracy and completeness is critical.

Ethical Considerations: The use of AI raises ethical issues, including bias in AI models and the impact on employment and governance.

Business managers should actively participate in AI initiatives and development process within the SDLC to ensure they align with strategic objectives, are implemented effectively, and deliver measurable value. By focusing on strategic alignment, resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, risk management, change management, performance monitoring, ethical considerations, innovation, vendor management, customer focus, and regulatory compliance, business managers can successfully drive AI adoption and maximize its benefits for the organization.

AI profoundly transforms the SDLC by enhancing efficiency, quality, and speed. However, business managers play a critical role in guiding the business elements of AI integration and development within the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Their strategic insight, resource management, and stakeholder engagement are essential for aligning AI initiatives with business goals.

In summary, business managers/leaders should view AI as a valuable resource and integrate it effectively into the SDLC.  Absolutely, business managers must get involved in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) whether or not AI is being integrated. Their involvement ensures that the development process aligns with business goals, meets stakeholder needs, and delivers value.

1.  Software Development Phases

As illustrated in Section III above, there are seven phases of Software Development.

Planning (Kickoff) Phase: It involves defining the project goals and objectives, identifying stakeholders, and defining the scope of the project.

Analysis Phase: It involves gathering information about the current system, identifying problem areas, and understanding user needs.

Design Phase: Based on the analysis, the system design is developed with practical details on how to build the new system.

PoC/Development Phase: The actual development of the system is done and configured to meet the requirements of the stakeholders.

Testing Phase: This phase involves testing