function architecture

Function architecture encompasses all the business model elements associated with the function aspect of the business organization. Function encompasses offerings, outputs, ends, and effect (see function aspect). Function elements include --

• all offering types - commodities, goods, services, experiences, and transformations
• fulfillment and support - what the business does to market its offerings, reach, service, and support customers
• information and insight - information exchanged between the customer and the business
• relationship dynamics - the nature of the interactions between the customer and the organization
• pricing structure - pricing related to the offerings and their value to the customer
• value proposition - the value proposition to the customer typically has multiple dimensions, including customer sacrifice
• customers - even the customers themselves have a pattern to be understood in terms of its architecture and implications for the business organization

All of these elements have architectural aspects to be considered as part of the business design. How modular vs. integrated these elements are will drive their costs, effectiveness, modifiability, extendibility, and customizability. See modularity and configuration. The degree of alignment of each element and the purpose of the business determines overall value in the customer's eyes and in the fulfillment of purpose. The designs of these elements are constrained by and place demands on the processes. Degree of compatibility between the function, process, and structure architectures determines the effectiveness of the business.