Software Architecture Analysis Method About SAAM Software Architecture Analysis Method

The problem SAAM solves How to compare software architectures? Two major barriers to effective comparison No common architecture description language Inventing new terms Using existing terms in different ways Usually hard to connect an architecture with its qualities

Steps in SAAM Describe each candidate architecture Define and prioritize scenarios Scenario evaluations for each architecture Direct (supported by the architecture) Indirect (anticipated changes) Determine interactions among indirect scenarios (fewer interactions are better) Overall evaluation based on scenario weighting

Indirect scenarios A scenario is indirectly supported by an architecture if it requires modifications Types of modifications include Extension of capabilities Adaptation to new operating environments Removal of unneeded capabilities Usually, pay attention only to the first two