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| Criterion | ![]() Operations Scatter Diagram | ![]() Operations Root Cause Analysis | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When the question is whether two measures are related, the method makes patterns in the data picture visible. It separates felt correlations from relationships that actually show up in the data. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 1-4 h | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 3-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Scatter Plot, Korrelationsnotiz, Hypothesenliste | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan | 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 |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeQualityVisualization | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |



