Software Engineering

14.2 
Establish the trade-study environment
The environment in which the trade study will be conducted must be established 
and qualified that it is suitable to perform the investigations. The trade-study 

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CHAPTER 14 
Software Analysis Practice
environment involves the mechanisms (tools, equipment, and scenarios), data col-
lection and analysis tools, and procedures that define how the trade study will be 
performed.
There are a variety of approaches to conducting a trade study. However, the 
“design of experiments” involves a formal, scientific approach to gather data under 
controlled conditions. The term 
experiment
 implies an efficient approach to gath-
ering engineering data that enables conclusions to be drawn. To establish a “con-
trolled” experiment, it is necessary to ensure that the experimental environment can 
be controlled in a manner that provides consistent, repeatable results. The trade-
study methodology must ensure the accuracy and nonbiased assessment of compet-
ing architectural alternatives.