Software Engineering

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Software Engineering. DOI: 
© 
2012
 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
2013
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-407768-3.00014-8
Software Analysis Practice
14
CHAPTER 
CHAPTER OUTLINE
14.1  Defining the trade study ................................................................................... 250
14.1.1
  Establish the trade-study scope ................................................... 250
14.1.2
  Identify the candidate alternatives ............................................... 250
14.1.3
  Establish the success criteria ...................................................... 251
14.2  Establish the trade-study environment .............................................................. 251
14.2.1
  Assemble the experimental mechanisms ....................................... 252
14.2.2
  Assemble the data collection and analysis mechanisms ................. 253
14.2.3
  Establish trade-study procedures ................................................. 255
14.3  Conduct the analysis ....................................................................................... 255
14.3.1
  Evaluate requirement alternatives ................................................ 256
14.3.2
  Evaluate functional alternatives ................................................... 256
14.3.3
  Evaluate structural alternatives .................................................... 257
14.4  Assess project repercussions .......................................................................... 258
14.4.1
  Assess developmental implications .............................................. 258
14.4.2
  Assess project implications ......................................................... 258
14.4.3
  Identify project execution strategies ............................................. 259
14.5  Evaluate trade-study results ............................................................................. 259
14.5.1
  Prioritize architectural alternatives ............................................... 259
14.5.2
  Determine the preferred course of action ...................................... 260
14.5.3
  Document the trade-study decision .............................................. 261
14.5.4
  Promote the execution strategy .................................................... 261
The software analysis practice stage involves the analytical tasks for performing a 
variety of engineering trade studies to assist in making architecture-based design 
decisions. Software analysis trade studies address compound situations that involve 
an array of factors concerning the software product and its life cycle, and the soft-
ware development project. This distinguishes software analysis trade studies from 
other types of analysis techniques that may only focus on establishing software prod-
uct characteristics.
Software analysis trade studies may be referred to as trade-off analysis, which 
is a technical form of cost-benefit analysis. An engineering trade study is more 

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