CPSA CPSA Architecture Decision Making Questions and Answers

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of an Architecture Decision Record (ADR)?

Accepted Answer

To document the context, decision, and consequences of a significant architectural choice

Answer

To list all software components in the system

Answer

To record daily development progress

Answer

To track bug reports and fixes

Question 2

Which of the following best describes an 'architecturally significant requirement' (ASR)?

Accepted Answer

A requirement that has a major impact on the system's architecture

Answer

Any functional requirement defined by the product owner

Answer

A performance benchmark set by the operations team

Answer

A UI design requirement from the UX team

Question 3

When should an architect revisit a previously made architectural decision?

Accepted Answer

When new context, constraints, or information makes the original rationale invalid

Answer

Only during annual architecture reviews

Answer

Only when a new team member joins the project

Answer

Never—decisions should remain stable once made

Question 4

What is 'architecture erosion' in the context of decision making?

Accepted Answer

The gradual divergence between intended architecture and the implemented system

Answer

The process of removing unused components over time

Answer

A planned refactoring of legacy systems

Answer

Performance degradation in aging software

Question 5

Which technique is most appropriate for comparing multiple architectural options during decision making?

Accepted Answer

Trade-off analysis using weighted criteria

Answer

Choosing the option with the fewest components

Answer

Selecting the option proposed by the most senior developer

Answer

Adopting the industry's most popular framework

Question 6

In iSAQB CPSA, what is meant by 'technical debt' in architectural decision making?

Accepted Answer

The implied cost of future rework caused by choosing a quick, suboptimal solution now

Answer

Unpaid software licensing fees

Answer

The number of open bug tickets in a backlog

Answer

Hardware procurement costs deferred to the next fiscal year