Develop comprehensive solution strategies based on quality goals following arc42 Chapter 4 principles

Purpose

The Solution Strategy Planner prompt helps systematically develop comprehensive solution strategies that directly address identified quality goals and scenarios. It creates detailed strategic approaches following arc42 Chapter 4 principles, ensuring that architectural decisions are quality-driven and well-documented.

When to Use

  • Developing solution strategies for new software systems

  • Creating arc42 Chapter 4 (Solution Strategy) documentation

  • When quality goals and scenarios are defined but solution approach is unclear

  • Before major architectural decisions that will shape the system

  • When balancing multiple quality attributes with conflicting requirements

  • During architecture reviews to validate strategic decisions

  • When transitioning from requirements to solution design

  • For complex systems requiring comprehensive strategic planning

What It Produces

  • Quality-Driven Strategy: Solutions directly tied to specific quality goals and scenarios

  • Technology Strategy: Comprehensive technology decisions with rationale

  • Decomposition Strategy: System structure and component boundaries

  • Quality Achievement Strategy: Specific mechanisms for achieving quality goals

  • Implementation Roadmap: Phased approach to realizing the strategy

  • Risk Assessment: Strategic risks and mitigation approaches

  • Trade-off Analysis: Documented decisions and alternatives considered

Key Benefits

  • Quality-Focused: Ensures every strategic decision supports specific quality goals

  • Systematic Approach: 6-step process covers all aspects of solution strategy

  • Decision Traceability: Clear rationale linking quality goals to architectural decisions

  • Implementation Guidance: Actionable roadmap for realizing the strategy

  • Risk Management: Proactive identification and mitigation of strategic risks

  • Trade-off Documentation: Explicit documentation of decisions and alternatives

Integration with arc42

This prompt directly supports arc42 Chapter 4 (Solution Strategy) and connects to:

  • Chapter 1 (Introduction and Goals): Quality goals provide foundation for strategy

  • Chapter 3 (System Scope and Context): External constraints influence strategic decisions

  • Chapter 5 (Building Block View): Decomposition strategy guides system structure

  • Chapter 6 (Runtime View): Quality achievement mechanisms inform dynamic behavior

  • Chapter 9 (Architecture Decisions): Strategic decisions become formal ADRs

  • Chapter 11 (Risk and Technical Debt): Strategic risks feed into risk management

The solution strategy serves as a bridge between quality requirements and detailed architecture design, ensuring all subsequent architectural work remains aligned with strategic objectives.

Special Features

  • Quality Scenarios Integration: Strategy directly addresses specific, measurable quality requirements

  • Multiple Strategy Types: Technology, decomposition, quality achievement, and implementation strategies

  • Visual Strategy Models: PlantUML diagrams showing strategic approaches and relationships

  • Implementation Planning: Concrete roadmap with phases, milestones, and validation approaches

  • Evolution Strategy: Plans for how architecture will adapt and evolve over time

  • Governance Integration: Approaches for ensuring strategy compliance during development