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Selected:ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Process MappingFailure Mode and Effects AnalysisAfter-Action Review
| Criterion |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Operations Process Mapping |  Operations Failure Mode and Effects Analysis |  Operations After-Action Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots. | 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. | After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 1-3 h | 2-6 h | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-10 | 3-10 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ProcessOperationsImprovement | RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause | LearningOperationsImprovement |