Standard : Change is architected into design

Purpose and Strategic Importance

This standard ensures that change is an intentional design principle, not an afterthought. By architecting systems, processes, and products for change, teams reduce resistance, accelerate evolution, and build resilience against uncertainty.

It supports our policies "Architect for Change" and "Design for Adaptability". Without this focus, teams risk brittle solutions and high costs of change.

Strategic Impact

• Faster response to evolving customer and business needs
• Lower cost and friction of change
• Greater organisational resilience

Risks of Not Having This Standard

• Rigid architectures that slow progress
• High cost and risk associated with change
• Reduced ability to compete in dynamic markets

CMMI Maturity Model

Level 1 – Initial

• Change is resisted or avoided due to fragile systems

Level 2 – Managed

• Teams make reactive changes at significant cost

Level 3 – Defined

• Change is intentionally designed into products and systems

Level 4 – Quantitatively Managed

• Change is measured and optimised for speed and cost reduction

Level 5 – Optimising

• Continuous improvement makes change seamless and expected

Key Measures

• Time to implement significant change
• % of architecture supporting modular or decoupled design
• Cost of change per initiative