Abstract
Before adopting or implementing new technology solutions, there is a need for a decision support method which enlightens the effects of the implementation of the various decision alternatives with respect to cost, risk, and quality aspects. We have proposed a decision support method for trade-off analysis considering three aspects: cost, risk, and quality. By cost we mean the cost of implementing the various decision alternatives. By risk we mean the risks associated with the implementation of the decision alternatives. By quality we mean the effect on overall system quality by implementing the various alternatives. The decision making method involves a process, an approach to modeling, and an approach to visualizing the decision alternatives and their overall performance with respect to cost, risk, and quality aspects. We have evaluated the decision making method through a case study with respect to a set of pre-defined success criteria. Apart from the case study, the evaluation involved thought experiment, observations made during the analysis, exemplifications, written and verbal feedback. The outcomes and results of the evaluation indicate practical feasibility of the proposed method in a realistic context. In addition, the evaluation has provided useful insights into strengths and weaknesses of the method and suggested directions for future research and improvements. This thesis presents the decision making method, and its evaluation.