Agile architecture

Agile architecture refers to architecture practices that embrace agile principles and values, which support the continuous delivery of software services and help to align architects with DevOps teams. It does not imply specific architecture models or reference architectures.

To support the continuous flow of value through the continuous delivery pipeline, agile architecture:

• Evolves over time while supporting the needs of current users
• Ensures the ‘system always runs’
• Balances emergent design and intentionality
• Takes a systems view across the full value stream
• Avoids overhead and delays associated with phase-gate and big-design-up-front methods

Source: Scaled Agile, Inc. Agile Architecture in SAFe

The agile architecture supports agile development practices through collaboration, emergent design, intentional architecture, and design simplicity. Like agile development practices, agile architecture also enables designing for testability, deployability, and releasability. It is further supported by rapid prototyping, domain modeling, and decentralized innovation.