Case Studies in Software Architecture
These published case studies of real-world applications of architecture-centric engineering demonstrate the importance of software architecture to system success.
Abstract
More and more organizations are realizing the importance of software architecture in their systems' success in areas such as avionics systems, network tactical systems, internet information systems, architecture reconstruction, automotive systems, distributed interactive simulation systems, scenario-based architectural analysis, system acquisition, and wargame simulation systems.
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Below are published case studies of real-world applications of architecture-centric engineering. They include case studies using
- architecture evaluation, analysis, and design
- the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM)
- the Quality Attribute Workshops (QAW)
- architecture reconstruction
Collection Contents
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A Principled Way to Use Frameworks in Architecture Design
November 30, 2012 • Article
By Humberto Cervantes (Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana–Iztapalapa), Perla Velasco-Elizondo (Autonomous University of Zacatecas), Rick Kazman
In the past decade, researchers have devised many methods to support and codify architecture design.
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Developing Architecture-Centric Engineering Within TSP
April 1, 2013 • Brochure
This information sheet describes the Bursatec project, which successfully combined software architecture-centric engineering with the Team Software Process to successfully meet the challenges of architecting a financial trading system.
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Relating Business Goals to Architecturally Significant Requirements for Software Systems
May 1, 2010 • Technical Note
By Paul C. Clements, Len Bass
The purpose of this report is to facilitate better elicitation of high-pedigree quality attribute requirements. Toward this end, we want to be able to elicit business goals reliably and understand how those business goals influence quality attribute requirements and architectures.
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System Architecture Virtual Integration: An Industrial Case Study
November 1, 2009 • Technical Report
By Peter H. Feiler, Jörgen Hansson (University of Skovde), Dionisio de Niz, Lutz Wrage
This report introduces key concepts of the SAVI paradigm and discusses the series of development scenarios used in a POC demonstration to illustrate the feasibility of improving the quality of software-intensive aircraft systems.
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Evaluating Software Architectures: Methods and Case Studies
October 22, 2001 • Book
By Paul C. Clements, Rick Kazman, Mark H. Klein
This book is a comprehensive guide to software architecture evaluation, describing specific methods that can quickly and inexpensively mitigate enormous risk in software projects.
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Scenario-Based Analysis of Software Architecture
November 1, 1996 • White Paper
By Gregory Abowd, Len Bass, Paul C. Clements, Rick Kazman
This paper presents an experiential case study illustrating the methodological use of scenarios to gain architecture-level understanding and predictive insight into large, real-world systems in various domains.
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An Architectural Analysis Case Study: Internet Information Systems
April 1, 1995 • White Paper
By Gregory Abowd, Len Bass, Paul C. Clements, Rick Kazman
This paper presents a method for analyzing systems for nonfunctional qualities from the perspective of their software architecture and applies this method to the field of Internet information systems (IISs).
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Using the SEI Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method to Evaluate WIN-T: A Case Study
September 1, 2005 • Technical Note
By Paul C. Clements, John K. Bergey, Dave Mason
This report describes the application of the SEI ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) to the U.S. Army's Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) system.
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Using the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM) to Evaluate the Software Architecture for a Product Line of Avionics Systems: A Case Study
July 1, 2003 • Technical Note
By Mario R. Barbacci, Paul C. Clements, Anthony J. Lattanze, Linda M. Northrop, William G. Wood
This 2003 technical note describes an ATAM evaluation of the software architecture for an avionics system developed for the Technology Applications Program Office (TAPO) of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Office.
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Using the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method to Evaluate a Wargame Simulation System: A Case Study
December 1, 2001 • Technical Note
By Lawrence G. Jones, Anthony J. Lattanze
This report describes the application of the ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) to a major wargaming simulation system.
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Using the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method to Evaluate a Reference Architecture: A Case Study
June 1, 2000 • Technical Note
By Brian P. Gallagher
This report describes the application of the ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) to evaluate a reference architecture for ground-based command and control systems.
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Using Quality Attribute Workshops to Evaluate Architectural Design Approaches in a Major System Acquisition: A Case Study
July 1, 2000 • Technical Note
By John K. Bergey, Mario R. Barbacci, William G. Wood
This report describes a series of Quality Attribute Workshops (QAWs) that were conducted on behalf of a government agency during its competitive acquisition of a complex, tactical, integrated command and control system.
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Architecture Reconstruction to Support a Product Line Effort: Case Study
July 1, 2001 • Technical Note
By Liam O'Brien
This report describes the architecture reconstruction process that was followed when the SEI performed architecture reconstructions on three small automotive motor systems.
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Architecture Reconstruction Case Study
April 1, 2003 • Technical Note
This report outlines an architecture reconstruction carried out at the SEI on a software system called VANISH, which was developed for prototyping visualizations.
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Use of Quality Attribute Workshops (QAWs) in Source Selection for a DoD System Acquisition: A Case Study
June 1, 2002 • Technical Note
By John K. Bergey, William G. Wood
This case study outlines how a DoD organization used architecture analysis and evaluation in a major system acquisition to reduce program risk.
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