# B.2 Aligning architecture in design, ISO 42024 ## Published contents Contents1 Scope2 Normative references3 Terms and definitions4 Architecture concepts4.1 Overview4.2 Architecture and architecting4.3 Architecture design and solution design4.4 Architecture definition and communication4.5 Stakeholder concerns and architectural aspects4.6 Architecture viewpoints and architecture views4.7 Architecture frameworks and architecture description languages4.8 Architecture descriptions and architecture models4.9 Reference architectures and reference models4.10 Life cycle and life history4.11 Architecting precepts5 Architecting principles5.1 Introduction to the principles5.2 Principles about the purpose of an architecture5.3 Principles about the focus of an architecture5.4 Principles about architecting outcomesTerms 3.2 Architecting concepts 3.2.1 Architecture3.2.2 Architecture feature3.2.3 Architecting3.2.4 Architecting principle3.2.5 Architecture principle3.2.6 Architecture framework3.2.7 Reference architecture3.3 Entity related concepts 3.3.1 Entity of interest3.3.2 Solution entity3.3.3 Environment3.3.4 Context3.3.5 Enterprise3.3.6 System3.3.7 Aspect3.3.8 Dimension3.4 Architecture design concepts 3.4.1 Design (noun)3.4.2 Architecture design3.4.3 Architecture information package3.4.4 Engineering effort3.4.5 Solution design3.4.6 Solution information package3.4.7 Stakeholder3.4.8 Stakeholder perspective3.4.9 Concern3.5 Architecture description concepts 3.5.1 Architecture description3.5.2 Solution description3.5.3 Architecture view3.5.4 Architecture viewpoint3.5.5 Model3.5.6 Metamodel3.5.7 Reference model3.6 Entity life cycle concepts 3.6.1 Life cycle3.6.2 Life cycle phase3.6.3 Life cycle stage3.6.4 Life historyAnnexes A.1 Architecture design and solution related entitiesA.2 Architecture expressed as a set of modelsA.3 Life cycle and life history conceptsA.4 Enterprise and system conceptsA.5 Duality of architectural decomposition and architectural synthesisB.1 BackgroundB.2 Aligning architecture in designB.3 Duality of architectureB.4 Pursuit of opportunities Home / Annex B Annex B, Determining architectural significance of concepts and properties · B.2 # Aligning architecture in design The subclause addresses aligning architecture in design. It builds on the design split in 3.4.2 and 3.4.5, and on the significance judgement introduced in B.1. - annex section, status not stated in the public preview - Annex section - ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024 - Last updated: 2026-10-21 ## What this unit settles Alignment is the practical question behind the split: does the solution design still realise the architecture design. The annex places alignment inside design, which is earlier than most firms check it. Checking at design review is cheaper than discovering drift at implementation. ## What to do in your practice Add an alignment check to the design review: each architecture decision, the solution element that realises it and the evidence. Where an element realises no decision, ask why it exists. Where a decision has no element, the architecture is not being realised. Run the alignment check at the design review, before any build cost is committed. The same check after build is an audit finding; before build it is a design conversation, and the difference in cost and tone is the reason the annex places alignment inside design. ## Who it binds The architecture practice, as a note. The public preview does not state the annex status, so this page does not claim one. ## Evidence an auditor or regulator asks for - The alignment matrix from architecture decisions to solution elements. An auditor asks whether the design realises the architecture. - The exceptions and their approval. Shows departures were decided. - The design review record. Proves the check happened before build. - The orphan list on both sides. Shows the check works both ways. Ask your teamWhich architecture decision has no solution element that realises it? ## Common gaps this page catches - Alignment is checked at implementation, not design. - No trace exists between decisions and elements. - Orphan elements are never questioned. ## What to prepare before publication Build the alignment matrix for one design. Add the check to the design review template. Record the orphans and resolve them. ## Common questions What does Aligning architecture in design mean in ISO 42024? The subclause addresses aligning architecture in design. It builds on the design split in 3.4.2 and 3.4.5, and on the significance judgement introduced in B.1. What evidence should we keep for B.2? The alignment matrix from architecture decisions to solution elements. The exceptions and their approval. The design review record. ## Related units - 3.4.2 - 3.4.5 - B.1 - B.3 Source. ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024, Annex B.2, published contents. Open the official record. Retrieved 21 October 2026. https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/en/#iso:std:iso-iec-ieee:42024:dis:ed-1:v1:en ISO catalogue record 87510, the status, stage and page count. Claim level: annex section, status not stated in the public preview. The annex title and subclause title are in the public preview. The body text is not public. Last updated: 2026-10-21 · Markdown version · Check your practice Source: https://iso-42024-revision-checker.theartofservice.com/annex-b/aligning-architecture-in-design/