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Criterion
Paper illustration for Reverse Brainstorming
Innovation
Reverse Brainstorming
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis
Purposedifferent
For persistent errors or blockages, the method shifts the view to the opposite of the desired effect. It exposes the mechanics of failure and makes hidden causes easier to grasp. This makes improvement more concrete and the problem clearer.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.When a problem keeps recurring and the cause stays unclear, the method exposes the underlying mechanism. It separates symptom, guess, and robust explanation from one another.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighMedium
Timedifferent
30-60 minSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope1-4 h
Participantsdifferent
3-12Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders3-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Reverse Ideas, Risk Themes, Solution IdeasPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsProblem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan
Tagsno overlap
BrainstormingIdeationCreativityRisk
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D Problem Solving
A paper-based illustration representing Brainstorming with its core stages and visible working result.
Innovation
Brainstorming
Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis