1. Software Architecture Analysis Method
About SAAM
Software Architecture Analysis Method

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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