CPSA Architectural Goals and Constraints Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following is the BEST example of an architectural constraint?

Accepted Answer

The development team must use the Java programming language.

Answer

The system must achieve 99.9% uptime.

Answer

The user interface should be intuitive and easy to learn.

Answer

The system's performance should handle 1000 concurrent users with a response time under 2 seconds.

Question 2

A software architect is designing a new e-commerce platform. The business stakeholders have mandated that the total budget for development and initial deployment cannot exceed $500,000 and the platform must launch before the holiday season in six months. How should the architect classify these two requirements?

Accepted Answer

As business constraints

Answer

As quality attributes

Answer

As functional requirements

Answer

As technical risks

Question 3

Architectural goals are primarily derived from which source?

Accepted Answer

Stakeholder concerns and quality requirements.

Answer

The technology stack chosen by the development team.

Answer

The architect's personal design preferences and experience.

Answer

The minutes from the daily stand-up meetings.

Question 4

What is the key difference between an architectural goal and an architectural constraint?

Accepted Answer

Goals describe desired qualities, while constraints are fixed, unchangeable decisions that limit design choices.

Answer

Goals are technical, while constraints are business-related.

Answer

Constraints are documented in the backlog, while goals are not.

Answer

Goals are set by the development team, while constraints are set by the project manager.

Question 5

During the initial design phase of a new financial services application, the legal department informs the architect that the system must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This is an example of what?

Accepted Answer

An organizational or regulatory constraint

Answer

A technical goal

Answer

A functional requirement

Answer

A self-imposed constraint

Question 6

An architect is told the new system must be 'fast and reliable'. Why is this statement insufficient as a quality goal for guiding architectural design?

Accepted Answer

It is subjective and lacks quantifiable metrics.

Answer

It focuses on business needs instead of technical solutions.

Answer

It does not come from a certified project manager.

Answer

It should be classified as a constraint, not a goal.