Domv

Domv is a theoretical metric and framework used in software architecture to assess the modularity of distributed systems with respect to domain boundaries. It provides a measurable Domv score intended to guide decomposition and governance. The score ranges from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating tighter alignment between service boundaries and business domains and lower cross-domain coupling.

The term Domv stands for Domain-Oriented Modularity Value. It was introduced in the early 2010s by researchers exploring the intersection of domain-driven design and modular architecture. The framework aims to quantify qualitative aspects of architecture to support decision making in refactoring and service decomposition.

The Domv score is computed from three sub-scores: domain alignment, decoupling, and contract stability. Domain alignment measures how well modules reflect business capabilities; decoupling assesses cross-boundary dependencies; contract stability evaluates API volatility. The overall Domv = w1*DA + w2*DE + w3*CS, with weights chosen by organization, and normalized to the 0–1 range.

Teams use Domv during architecture reviews, to compare alternative decompositions, and to monitor progress after refactoring. It is often used alongside Domain-Driven Design concepts and microservices patterns to improve maintainability, scalability, and resilience.

Critics note that Domv can be subjective, dependent on organizational context, and adds measurement overhead. Its usefulness depends on consistent data collection and agreed definitions of domains and contracts.

See also: Domain-driven design, microservices, modularity, software architecture.