Abstract
Patterns and pattern languages are widely used nowadays. The need to apply patterns in the right sequence is very important, but how to apply them using many pattern languages or pattern catalogue is sometimes very difficult. After examining the current literature on the use of patterns from the software development perspective, this paper proposes a framework for determining the pattern applicability during the software development. It will also examine the use of pattern maps and the resulting ambiguity in their use by looking at different well-documented pattern maps. The paper investigates how patterns applicability alters the way of applying them in a language and from different patterns banks. The proposed framework in this paper allows the designer to be guided through the process of applying patterns.