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Selected:Barrier AnalysisATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Fault Tree AnalysisFailure Mode and Effects Analysis
| Criterion | ![]() Operations Barrier Analysis | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() Operations Fault Tree Analysis | ![]() Operations Failure Mode and Effects Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a risk that can only be managed through multiple layers of protection, the method examines the effectiveness of each barrier. It shows where safeguards are missing, too weak, or fail under real conditions. | 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. | For a critical top event with several possible triggers, the method logically models failure paths. It makes visible which combinations of conditions can lead to damage. | 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 | Medium | High | High | High |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 2-6 h | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Fault Tree, Critical Paths, Cause Hypotheses, Control Actions | FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeSafetyIncident | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | RiskRoot causeSafety | RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause |



