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Criterion
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for DACI
Decision Making
DACI
Paper illustration of an activity-role table with clear RACI assignments and one highlighted accountable role per activity.
Operations
RACI Matrix
Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Purposedifferent
ATAM helps teams weigh architecture decisions when quality goals compete. The team considers business goals, stakeholder expectations, and technical decisions together. The evaluation shows which risks need further investigation.In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated.With unclear responsibilities across several roles or areas, the method creates unambiguous accountability logic. It reduces friction because decision, execution, contribution, and information become separately visible.For a process, product, or service with noticeable failure risks, the method assesses possible failure modes in advance. It directs attention to combinations of occurrence, effect, and detectability.
Complexitydifferent
HighLowLowHigh
Timedifferent
Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope30-60 min45-90 min2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders2-102-83-10
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsDACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision LogRACI Matrix, Responsibility Map, Decision NotesFMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment
RolesResponsibilityGovernanceOperations
RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause
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