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Criterion
How Might We
Innovation
How Might We
Paper illustration for Fault Tree Analysis.
Operations
Fault Tree Analysis
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)
Purposedifferent
With a stuck problem carrying many implicit assumptions, the method translates observations into open, workable questions. It sharpens the problem frame without pre-thinking the solution, turning frustration or fuzziness into a search space with clear direction.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.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighLowHigh
Timedifferent
30–45 min2-6 h30-60 minSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope
Participantsdifferent
1-103-82-8Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
HMW Questions, Challenge Framing, Idea PromptsFault Tree, Critical Paths, Cause Hypotheses, Control ActionsFishbone 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 investigations
Tagsno overlap
FramingOpportunityIdeationQuestions
RiskRoot causeSafety
Root causeQualityOperations
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
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