How do you update and maintain quality attributes in software design as requirements and technologies change?

1 Review and revise quality attributes regularly

Quality attributes are not static; they can vary depending on the context, stakeholders, and goals of the software system. Therefore, you should review and revise them regularly, especially when there are changes in the requirements, technologies, or feedback. You can use techniques such as quality attribute scenarios, quality attribute workshops, or quality attribute elicitation to identify, prioritize, and document the quality attributes that are relevant and important for your system. You should also communicate and align the quality attributes with the stakeholders and the development team to ensure a shared understanding and expectation.

2 Use architectural patterns and tactics

Architectural patterns and tactics are reusable solutions that address common quality attribute concerns in software design. For example, you can use the layered pattern to improve modularity and maintainability, the pipe-and-filter pattern to improve performance and scalability, or the broker pattern to improve interoperability and security. You can also use tactics such as caching, replication, encryption, or logging to enhance specific quality attributes. You should choose the appropriate patterns and tactics based on the trade-offs and implications they have on your system and its quality attributes.

3 Apply design principles and guidelines

Design principles and guidelines are general rules or recommendations that help you create high-quality software design. They can help you avoid common pitfalls, reduce complexity, increase cohesion, and promote consistency. Some examples of design principles and guidelines are SOLID, GRASP, DRY, YAGNI, or KISS. You should apply them consistently and judiciously throughout your software design process, and adapt them as needed to suit your system and its quality attributes.

4 Evaluate and validate quality attributes

Evaluating and validating quality attributes is the process of measuring and verifying how well your software design meets the quality attribute requirements and expectations. You can use different methods and tools to evaluate and validate quality attributes, such as prototyping, testing, analysis, simulation, or inspection. You should perform evaluation and validation activities early and often in your software design process, and use the results to identify and address any gaps, issues, or risks related to quality attributes.

5 Refactor and optimize quality attributes

Refactoring and optimizing quality attributes is the process of improving and enhancing your software design to achieve better quality attribute outcomes. You can use different techniques and strategies to refactor and optimize quality attributes, such as code smells, design patterns, anti-patterns, or refactoring tools. You should refactor and optimize quality attributes whenever you encounter any technical debt, performance bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities, or usability problems related to quality attributes.

6 Learn and adopt new technologies and practices

Learning and adopting new technologies and practices is the process of keeping up with the latest trends and innovations that can affect or improve your software design and its quality attributes. You can use different sources and platforms to learn and adopt new technologies and practices, such as blogs, podcasts, books, courses, webinars, or conferences. You should learn and adopt new technologies and practices that are relevant and beneficial for your system and its quality attributes, and avoid jumping on the bandwagon without proper evaluation and justification.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?