Application of an evaluation framework for analyzing the architecture tradeoff analysis method(SM)
Evaluation is a critical analytical process in all disciplines and fields and therefore also in software engineering. For developing and analyzing an evaluation method a framework of six basic components (target, evaluation criteria, yardstick, data-gathering techniques, synthesis techniques, and evaluation process) can be applied. This framework was developed based on the analysis of theoretical and methodological evaluation concepts applied in software and non-software disciplines. In particular, in this paper we present the application of the framework for analyzing the architecture tradeoff analysis method(SM) (ATAM(SM)), developed by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). The results of the matching of the framework with the ATAM definition facilitate the identification of each evaluation component and stress some key aspects, such as the relevant role of stakeholders and the significance of attribute-based architectural styles in an ATAM evaluation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
software architecture software architecture evaluation software architecture styles