Quantifying the Value of Architecture Design Decisions: Lessons from the Field
• SEI Report
Publisher
Software Engineering Institute
Topic or Tag
Abstract
This paper outlines experiences with using economic criteria to make architectural design decisions. It briefly describes the CBAM (Cost Benefit Analysis Method) framework applied to estimate the value of architectural strategies in a NASA project, the ECS. This paper describes the practical difficulties and experiences in applying the method to a large real-world system. It concludes with some lessons learned from the experience.
Cite This SEI Report
Asundi, J., Kazman, R., Klein, M., & Moore, M. (2003, January 1). Quantifying the Value of Architecture Design Decisions: Lessons from the Field. Retrieved September 12, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/quantifying-the-value-of-architecture-design-decisions-lessons-from-the-field/.
@techreport{asundi_2003,
author={Asundi, Jayatirtha and Kazman, Rick and Klein, Mark and Moore, Mike},
title={Quantifying the Value of Architecture Design Decisions: Lessons from the Field},
month={Jan},
year={2003},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/quantifying-the-value-of-architecture-design-decisions-lessons-from-the-field/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Sep-12}
}
Asundi, Jayatirtha, Rick Kazman, Mark Klein, and Mike Moore. "Quantifying the Value of Architecture Design Decisions: Lessons from the Field." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, January 1, 2003. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/quantifying-the-value-of-architecture-design-decisions-lessons-from-the-field/.
J. Asundi, R. Kazman, M. Klein, and M. Moore, "Quantifying the Value of Architecture Design Decisions: Lessons from the Field," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, 1-Jan-2003 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/quantifying-the-value-of-architecture-design-decisions-lessons-from-the-field/. [Accessed: 12-Sep-2026].
Asundi, Jayatirtha, Rick Kazman, Mark Klein, and Mike Moore. "Quantifying the Value of Architecture Design Decisions: Lessons from the Field." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Jan. 2003. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/quantifying-the-value-of-architecture-design-decisions-lessons-from-the-field/. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.
Asundi, Jayatirtha; Kazman, Rick; Klein, Mark; & Moore, Mike. Quantifying the Value of Architecture Design Decisions: Lessons from the Field. Software Engineering Institute. 2003. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/quantifying-the-value-of-architecture-design-decisions-lessons-from-the-field/