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Selected:Polarity MappingATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Barrier AnalysisFault Tree Analysis
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Operations Barrier Analysis |  Operations Fault Tree Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Polarity Mapping makes tensions between two opposing poles tangible, such as standardization and adaptation or control and autonomy. The method guards against making apparent either-or decisions prematurely. | 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 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 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 | High | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 2-4 h | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 2-6 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Fault Tree, Critical Paths, Cause Hypotheses, Control Actions |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | Root causeSafetyIncident | RiskRoot causeSafety |