Methodologies

Earlier in this chapter, we discussed models as blueprints—their structured representations of information using standard symbols, the standard relationships between the information elements, and a disciplined method for constructing them.

Methodologies in architecture are prescriptive procedures for developing architecture representations that are recognizable and comprehensible by a community of architects trained in that methodology. It is outside the scope of this book to discuss the various methodologies that are available. Methodologies tend to become religions unto themselves, with dedicated followers who declare that a particular methodology is the best. Each methodology was developed at a specific time to meet the specific needs of that moment. As time went on, needs have changed and some methodologies are less relevant to contemporary needs today than they were when they were first formulated.