Overview

Document and communicate a layered (n-tier) software architecture with this reference diagram template. The layered architecture pattern organizes an application into horizontal tiers — Presentation, Business Logic, Persistence, and Database — with strict separation of concerns between layers. This template gives engineering teams a visual starting point for design review and technical documentation.

Key Features

• Four-layer horizontal architecture: Presentation, Application/Business Logic, Persistence, Database
• Component blocks within each layer for individual services and modules
• Directional connectors showing data flow and dependency direction between layers
• Annotation zones for adding technology stack details per layer
• Anti-pattern callout area for flagging layer violations

How to Use

1. Label each layer using the Text tool and add your specific technology components as shape blocks within each layer
2. Use the Connector tool to draw directional arrows showing how requests flow from presentation down to database and responses travel back up
3. Annotate each component with technology stack details using sticky notes — framework name, version, key dependencies
4. Flag any cross-layer dependencies that violate strict layering using a red sticky note in the anti-pattern zone
5. Share with the team for architecture review — use Comments for async discussion on specific components

Benefits

Layered architecture diagrams are the first page of any codebase onboarding. When a new engineer can see the layers and their boundaries on day one, they make better decisions about where to put new code from the start.