Genesis

Overview

A Standard Build refers to an application configuration that is proven to meet infrastructure requirements in terms of: scalability, high availability, operational agility, performance, serviceability and security. It further ensures the application complies with an organisations governance and internal standards. A Standard Build is created by the architects with vendor consultations and direct involvement of the project team.

Application Specification

An application’s Standard Build is recorded in an Application Specification document. This document details the design and configuration choices that are consistent across all deployments of the application. It ensures all stakeholders have a clear understanding of infrastructure deliverables. The Application Specification document is subject to a thorough peer review process by all the project stake holders.

Service Specification

A service can be thought of as business deliverable. It is a core business activity which provides some kind of benefit either internally to the business or to a customer. A Service Specification document captures deviations in services from the Standard Build and the inherent risks associated with these changes. The Service Specification document for a given tier (Storage, UNIX, Middleware, Database, Network etc.) is produced by architects assigned to the project and subject to peer review by the project team members.

Environment Specification

The Environment Specification documents are created by the teams that are responsible for provisioning of different environments (e.g. development, testing and production). Together, these three documents help the project team to focus on any changes the project needs to make from the Standard Build rather than reviewing every detail of an application’s deployment and help to clarify the deliverables and resource requirements of all stakeholders.

Genesis Enterprise Specification

The Genesis Enterprise Specification is a collection of all the Application, Service and Environment specification documents for a given enterprise. It provides a central repository of all the key information about an enterprises Information and Communications Technology (ITC). This document becomes an invaluable asset in determining strategic as well as tactical decisions regarding ITC.

View examples of Application, Service and Environment Specifications here.