Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method

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In software engineering, Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM) is a risk-mitigation process used early in the software development life cycle.

ATAM was developed by the Software Engineering Institute at the Carnegie Mellon University. Its purpose is to help choose a suitable architecture for a software system by discovering trade-offs and sensitivity points.

ATAM is most beneficial when done early in the software development life-cycle, when the cost of changing architectures is minimal.

[edit] ATAM Benefits

The following are some of the benefits of the ATAM process:

Promotes the gathering of precise quality requirements
Creates an early start at architecture documentation
Creates a documented basis for architectural decisions
Promotes identification or risks early in the life-cycle
Encourages increased communication among stakeholders

[edit] ATAM Process

The ATAM process consists of gathering stakeholders together to analyze business drivers and from these drivers extract quality attributes that are used to create scenarios. These scenarios are then used in conjunction with architectural approaches and architectural decisions to create an analysis of trade-offs, sensitivity points, and risks (or non-risks). This analysis can be converted to risk themes and their impacts whereupon the process can be repeated.