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Selected:CATWOE AnalysisFailure Mode and Effects Analysis5 WhysATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Operations Failure Mode and Effects Analysis |  Operations 5 Whys |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | 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. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 2-6 h | 15-30 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 3-10 | 2-6 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders |