Software Architect's Handbook

Scenario-based analysis of software architecture

SAAM is a scenario-based review method, and can be an effective way to review a software architecture. A scenario is a description of the interaction between some source, such as a stakeholder, and a software system. It represents some use or expected quality of the software system and may consist of a sequence of steps detailing the use or modification of it.

Scenarios can be used to test software quality attributes, which is one of the purposes behind software quality attribute scenarios:

A software quality attribute scenario consists of the following parts:

• Source of stimulus: The source ...