Expanding the View on Complexity within the Architecture Trade-off Analysis Method

The following paper presents the learning outcomes from an investigation into the aspects of complexity involved in architecture-based analysis. Using a framework of situational complexity as provocation, the manifestations of complexity observed in the architecture tradeoff analysis method (ATAM) process are presented in terms of a people and systems dimension. These aspects of complexity are shown to impact upon some of the most important ATAM objectives. The change in ATAM complexity is also presented with respect to the design lifecycle. Some resolution to the complexity suffered by the process is suggested in terms of splitting out the analysis objectives and maintaining two types of analysis, as well as paying attention to the content aspects of the process that drive its direction from within