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Selected:Barrier AnalysisFamily Tree AnalysisATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Fault Tree Analysis
| Criterion | ![]() Operations Barrier Analysis | ![]() Operations Family Tree Analysis | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() Operations Fault Tree 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. | For a series of incidents with a similar pattern, the method arranges individual events as branches of a common origin. It makes visible which conditions keep recurring. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | High | High |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h | 2-4 h | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 2-6 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Family Tree Diagram, Pattern Notes, Systemic Measures | 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 |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeSafetyIncident | Root causePatternsIncidentSystemic | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | RiskRoot causeSafety |



