ATAM: Method for Architecture Evaluation

Abstract

If a software architecture is a key business asset for an organization, then architectural analysis must also be a key practice for that organization. Why? Because architectures are complex and involve many design tradeoffs. Without undertaking a formal analysis process, the organization cannot ensure that the architectural decisions made-particularly those which affect the achievement of quality attribute such as performance, availability, security, and modifiability-are advisable ones that appropriately mitigate risks. In this report, some of the technical and organizational foundations for performing architectural analysis are discussed, the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM), is presented. The ATAM is a technique for analyzing software architectures that has been developed and refined in practice over the past three years.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA382629

Entities

People

  • Mark Klein
  • Paul Clements
  • Rick Kazman

Organizations

  • Carnegie Mellon University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Availability
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Commerce
  • Communication Channels
  • Connectors
  • Databases
  • Engineering
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Identification
  • Operating Systems
  • Reliability
  • Security
  • Software Design
  • Software Development
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Software Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design