# 4.2 Architecture and architecting, 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 / Concepts Architecture concepts · 4.2 # Architecture and architecting The subclause addresses the relationship between an architecture and the work of architecting it. It builds on the definitions of architecture (3.2.1) and architecting (3.2.3): the first is what an entity has, the second is the activity that conceives, expresses, communicates, certifies and maintains it. - concept, not an obligation - Clause area - ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024 - Last updated: 2026-10-21 ## What this unit settles The pair separates a property of the entity from the work done on it. That separation is the basis for every later distinction in the document, including design and description. A firm that conflates them will treat a change to a document as a change to the entity, and a change to the entity as a documentation task. ## What to do in your practice In the method, name the architecture as a property of the entity and the architecting as the work. Give each a different owner and a different review. Record changes to the entity separately from changes to the description, even when they happen together. ## Who it binds The organisation and the architecture practice. This unit is not a shall requirement; the claim level states what it is. ## Evidence an auditor or regulator asks for - A method section that distinguishes the architecture from the architecting work. An auditor asks which changed, the entity or the document. - A change log with an entity change column and a description change column. Separates real change from documentation change. - The owners of each. Makes accountability clear. - A sample of changes classified correctly. Proves the distinction is used. Ask your teamWhen this architecture changed last, did the entity change, the description, or both? ## Common gaps this page catches - A document revision is reported as an architecture change. - An entity change is made without updating the description. - One owner is accountable for both, so the distinction is never tested. ## What to prepare before publication Add the two columns to the change log and classify the last ten changes. The misclassified rows show where the method is ambiguous. ## Common questions What does Architecture and architecting mean in ISO 42024? The subclause addresses the relationship between an architecture and the work of architecting it. It builds on the definitions of architecture (3.2.1) and architecting (3.2.3): the first is what an entity has, the second is the activity that conceives, expresses, communicates, certifies and maintains it. What evidence should we keep for 4.2? A method section that distinguishes the architecture from the architecting work. A change log with an entity change column and a description change column. The owners of each. ## Related units - 3.2.1 - 3.2.3 - 3.5.1 Source. ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 42024, Clause 4.2. 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: concept, not an obligation. The subclause title is 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/clauses/architecture-and-architecting/