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Criterion
Process Mapping method illustration showing its working structure
Operations
Process Mapping
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration of a review with planned work, actual event sequence, comparison, and assigned improvement actions.
Operations
After-Action Review
Paper fishbone diagram with a measurable effect at the head and six labeled cause branches.
Operations
Fishbone Diagram
Purposedifferent
With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots.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.After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement.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.
Complexitydifferent
MediumHighLowLow
Timedifferent
1-3 hSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope20-45 min30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
3-10Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders3-122-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement BacklogPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsLessons learned, Action items, Event summaryFishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog
Tagsno overlap
ProcessOperationsImprovement
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
LearningOperationsImprovement
Root causeQualityOperations
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