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Criterion
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration of MORT Analysis with its method-specific working model.
Operations
MORT Analysis
Paper illustration of Barrier Analysis with its method-specific working model.
Operations
Barrier 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 safety-relevant event or a system with high protection requirements, the method examines where controls failed. It exposes both technical and organizational gaps.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.
Complexitydifferent
MediumHighHighMedium
Timedifferent
1-2 hSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scopeMehrere Tage bis Wochen2-4 h
Participantsdifferent
3-12Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders2-62-6
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsMORT Worksheets, Findings per Branch, Corrective Actions, Systemic RecommendationsBarrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
Root causeSafetySystemicIncident
Root causeSafetyIncident
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