Architecture trade-off analysis

Definition
An architecture trade-off analysis is

"[a] method for evaluating architecture-level designs that considers multiple attributes including, for example, modifiability, security, performance, and reliability to gain insight as to whether the fully described architecture will meet its requirements. The method identifies trade-off points among these attributes, facilitates communication among stakeholders (e.g., customer, developer, maintainer) from the perspective of each attribute, clarifies and refines requirements, and provides a framework for an ongoing, concurrent process of system design and analysis."