Architecture Compliance – Terminology

A key relationship between the architecture and the implementation lies in the definitions of the terms “conformant”, “compliant”, etc. While terminology usage may differ between organizations, the concepts of levels of conformance illustrated below should prove useful in formulating an IT compliance strategy.

Irrelevant

The implementation has no features in common with the architecture specification (so the question of conformance does not arise).

Consistent

The implementation has some features in common with the architecture specification, and those common features are implemented in accordance with the specification. However, some features in the architecture specification are not implemented, and the implementation has other features that are not covered by the specification.

Compliant

Some features in the architecture specification are not implemented, but all features implemented are covered by the specification, and in accordance with it.

Conformant

All the features in the architecture specification are implemented in accordance with the specification, but some more features are implemented that are not in accordance with it.

Fully Conformant

There is full correspondence between architecture specification and implementation. All specified features are implemented in accordance with the specification, and there are no features implemented that are not covered by the specification.

Non Conformant

Any of the above in which some features in the architecture specification are implemented not in accordance with the specification.