Architecture Portal

Operating cycles

Support and learning through continued change.

Adrian Sutherland · Version 1.0 · · © 2005–2026

The service remains in use

In the fictional example, a cancellation during the proposed trial could expose a new exception. The service owner needs a route to correct local work, improve the service or reopen a wider architecture decision.

Loop Work and retained result
Prepare and introduce Define scope, versions, open work, readiness checks and authority to proceed.
Operate and support Maintain ownership, access, service knowledge and the actual operating position.
Respond and recover Coordinate containment, restoration, reconciliation and communication.
Improve and govern Review causes, recurring effort, service objectives, costs and remaining risks.

These loops connect A Simple Architectural Framework (ASAF)’s Transforming, Operating and Governing process areas. They can return to Visioning when experience changes the intended service or its viability.

Methodology configuration

Your service desk, incident process, change process and review meetings may implement these loops in different combinations. Use Methodology configuration to map terms, records and reviews to your own approach.

Dials

Review each release at the scale of its effects. Respond to incidents as they occur. Review trends and known problems at agreed intervals. Limit simultaneous changes so the team can understand their effects and recover when something fails. Coordinate affected owners; pre-agree who may stop work or invoke a fallback. Automate checks and alerts with a named response owner. Use recurring problems to review planned work and funding.

Diagram

Service operating cycles

Decisions retained through change and use.

Service operating cyclesDecisions retained through change and use. The full nodes and connections are described below the diagram.directionreconsideraccepted changeimprovementprioritieschange authoritypolicyfindingsVisioningTransformingOperatingGoverning
  • Visioning

    Agree the intended service, operating objectives and viability. Revisit these when experience challenges them.

  • Transforming

    Prepare and introduce changes with scope, versions, readiness checks and authority to proceed.

  • Operating

    Maintain ownership and service knowledge; respond to incidents, recover and reconcile open work.

  • Governing

    Review causes, costs, remaining risks and authority for improvement.

Read the connections
  • VisioningTransforming: direction.
  • TransformingVisioning: reconsider.
  • TransformingOperating: accepted change.
  • OperatingTransforming: improvement.
  • GoverningVisioning: priorities.
  • GoverningTransforming: change authority.
  • GoverningOperating: policy.
  • OperatingGoverning: findings.
Version 1.0 · September 2026 · © 2005–2026 Adrian Sutherland. The arrows show selected exchanges and feedback. Work can repeat within any area or reopen a wider decision. Governing applies to direction, change and operation; the areas can overlap. Retain accepted decisions between cycles.

About this edition

Refreshed for the September 2026 website update. This edition develops the earlier Architecture Portal and ASAF material; the fictional worked example was added in 2026.

Scope, limitations and next checks

Status and accountability

Read this page with its boundaries visible

Status

In development

Last reviewed

Intended users

  • Architects comparing and adapting their existing approach

Non-goals

  • Prescribing a mandatory method or claiming measured benefits

Limitations

  • Guidance illustrated by a fictional example; proposed designs and checks have not been implemented or run.

Next evidence sought

  • Review the guidance and try its records with a practising architect.