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Criterion
Paper fishbone diagram with a measurable effect at the head and six labeled cause branches.
Operations
Fishbone Diagram
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper matrix with seven SCAMPER rows, operator prompts and variations for a course portal.
Innovation
SCAMPER
Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Purposedifferent
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.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 an existing solution under pressure to change, the method deliberately opens space for systematic variants. It directs attention to rebuilding, combining, and repurposing rather than only new basic ideas. This produces concrete evolution paths for products, offerings, or workflows.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
LowHighLowHigh
Timedifferent
30-60 minSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope30-60 min2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
2-8Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders2-103-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation BacklogPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsSCAMPER Idea List, Concept Shortlist, Variation NotesFMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions
Tagsno overlap
Root causeQualityOperations
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
BrainstormingIdeationCreativityReframingInnovation
RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause
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