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Criterion
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper fishbone diagram with a measurable effect at the head and six labeled cause branches.
Operations
Fishbone Diagram
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D 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.Polarity Mapping makes tensions between two opposing poles tangible, such as standardization and adaptation or control and autonomy. The method guards against making apparent either-or decisions prematurely.When a problem has several possible contributing factors, the method sorts causes by cause areas. It prevents an initial hunch from blocking the view of other plausible drivers.For an acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly.
Complexitydifferent
HighMediumLowHigh
Timedifferent
Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope1-2 h30-60 min1-6 Wochen
Participantsdifferent
Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders3-122-84-10
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 investigationsPolarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsFishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
Root causeQualityOperations
QualityProblem solvingRoot cause
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