Once the Assessment phase data is collected and thoroughly analyzed, potential risks can be identified and a vision can be articulated as the initial step in the design process.

API will deliver a design that clearly illustrates the different types of processing platforms and how they interface. The proper allocation of processing and storage resources is critical to the design and is vital to satisfying the business’ needs.

An API design also accounts for future growth requirements and provides a clear roadmap for expansion. The architecture's capabilities must then be thoroughly tested in order to determine performance and growth constraints as they relate to hardware, OS, system tools, and utilities.

All external system interfaces and internal subsystem interfaces must be identified and defined. An API Design is thoroughly tested, revised/modified and re-tested before it is scheduled for a production implementation.