We have integrated the Unified Process into our practices and focus on a consistent approach to all software architecture engagements. Any project conceived to meet a business goal must capture important aspects of the business environment, regardless of the nature of the project. Systems development projects must take into consideration the functional requirements of all business stakeholders, the constraints under which the system will be built and operate, and the factors that will measure success of the project. If software architecture provides a plan for the structure of a project, that architecture must conform to the accepted business requirements and restrictions. A good illustration of this is a house, which may be structurally sound based on it's architecture, but if the plans were developed from requirements that omitted doors between rooms, the end result will not be useful.
Software development has similar concerns.
Every project must be analyzed thoroughly to ensure all functional requirements are available for development of the architecture.