Design review vs architecture review
A design review happens before deployment using a plan, ARM JSON, or Bicep-generated ARM JSON. An architecture review can also inspect the deployed Azure environment through a documented read-only sync.
Glossary
Last reviewed 2026-10-01
Azure architecture design and review
Overview
An Azure architecture design and review checks a proposed design or an existing Azure environment against the Well-Architected pillars: reliability, security, cost optimization, operational excellence, and performance efficiency. A design review looks at a plan or template; an architecture review also looks at what is deployed.
What the review checks
Review reliability, security, cost optimization, operational excellence, and performance efficiency against the relevant Microsoft guidance and the evidence available for the scope.
Inputs Cloudeval can review
Cloudeval supports ARM JSON, Bicep compiled to ARM JSON, and live Azure context. AWS CloudFormation is a static beta; it does not establish live AWS state.
FAQ
What is an Azure architecture review?
It is a structured review of a proposed or deployed Azure design against architecture, reliability, security, cost, operational and performance considerations.
Who runs an Azure architecture review?
Cloud architects, platform engineers, security reviewers, delivery teams, or consultants can run it with the source and evidence appropriate to the decision.
Is there an Azure architecture review checklist?
Yes. Use the Azure architecture review checklist to structure scope, evidence, findings, owners and follow-up decisions.
Can an Azure architecture review be automated?
Supported ARM, compiled Bicep and live Azure workflows can be evaluated with Cloudeval diagrams, reports, evidence and review automation where the project supports them.
