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Criterion
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Paper illustration for Standard Work Analysis.
Operations
Standard Work Analysis
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
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.When there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions.When the same task is done differently depending on the person, the method exposes the reliable core. It creates comparability without unnecessarily choking off needed latitude.For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together.
Complexitydifferent
HighLowMediumMedium
Timedifferent
Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope30-120 min1-3 h45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders2-62-62-5
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsObservation Notes, Improvement IdeasStandard Work Sheet, Deviation List, Improved Standard, Training NeedsA3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
LeanObservationProcessOperations
LeanProcessQuality
LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations
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