Injecting Sustainability in Software Architecture: A Rapid Review

TL;DR

This paper reviews how sustainability can be systematically integrated into software architecture, combining literature review and industry insights to provide practical guidance for practitioners.

Contribution

It presents a mixed-method empirical study that synthesizes secondary research and industry perspectives to identify challenges and opportunities in sustainable software architecture.

Findings

Identified key challenges in embedding sustainability in software architecture.

Provided five actionable takeaways for practitioners and industry partners.

Enhanced understanding of industry-academia collaboration in sustainability practices.

Abstract

Sustainability has evolved from an emerging concern into a fundamental responsibility in software design, development, and operation. Research increasingly explores how sustainability can be systematically integrated into existing software engineering practices. Building on an industry-academia collaboration, we contribute to this discourse by conducting a mixed-method empirical study. We combine a rapid review of secondary studies with a focus group of practitioners. The review identifies challenges and opportunities in embedding sustainability in software architecture, while the focus group enriches and compares these findings. Based on the literature and industry synthesis, we derive five tangible takeaways to inform architects working in the field, and to guide our industry partners in the integration of sustainability concerns in architecture practices.