There are some overarching aspects of an architecture that relate to all the viewpoints.

These overarching aspects are captured in the All Viewpoint (AV) models. The AV models provide information pertinent to the entire architecture, but do not represent a distinct viewpoint of the architecture. AV models provide an overview of the architecture, setting the scope and context of the architecture. The scope includes the subject area and timeframe for the architecture.

The setting in which the architecture exists comprises the interrelated conditions that compose the context for the architecture. These conditions include:

The AV models also include such things as the rules, constraints, assumptions and derived vocabulary that pertains to the architecture. It captures the intent of the architecture to help ensure its continuity in the face of leadership, organizational, and other changes that can occur over a long development effort.