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Selected:Question BurstATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)5 WhysFailure Mode and Effects Analysis
| Criterion |  Facilitation Question Burst |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Failure Mode and Effects Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a problem gets covered up too quickly with answers, Question Burst puts the better question at the center. The format opens the thinking space before the group commits to an interpretation. | 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 single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. | 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 | Low | High | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 15-30 min | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 2-6 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Question List, Reframed Challenge, Learning Prompts | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions |
Tagsno overlap | QuestionsReframingFacilitationSensemaking | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause |