A quantitative tradeoff analysis of software architecture using the architecture analysis and design language

Abstract

The problem of satisfying a desired level of quality attributes has been researched in the software architecture analysis domain. Architecture tradeoff analysis methods have been studied in order to examine whether an architecture meets the system quality and to know where the quality tradeoffs exist. Even though the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM) provides a basic understanding of quality attributes from prior experiences, it does not help stakeholders in understanding the quality attributes in detail or in more precisely determining the importance of the tradeoff. This weakness can be compensated for by providing a framework for the reasoning of quality attributes. In this thesis, a quantitative analysis method of tradeoffs using an architecture analysis and design language is suggested. An architectural prototyping technique is applied in order to obtain measurable values from quality attributes and to clarify the tradeoffs based on the measured data. The method has the strength of determining where the tradeoffs of the quality attributes exist and what causes the tradeoffs from alternative architectures. For quantitative tradeoff analysis, the suggested method is applied to a studio project, an OSEK operating system development. It helps architects in selecting one of the architectural alternatives that is most appropriate for the desired quality goals with a quantitative approach. Also, it makes architects maintain the objective in tradeoff analysis. The contribution of this thesis is in providing a novel engineering disciplined architecture tradeoff analysis method. It supplements ATAM, the Cost Benefit Analysis Method (CBAM), and other subjective architecture tradeoff analysis methods by providing an engineering-disciplined quantitative approach. In addition, the application of the architecture analysis and design language guides an architecture design to be a detailed one and facilitates the design documentation.