PASA(SM): An Architectural Approach to Fixing Software Performance Problems

When fixing performance problems in new or existing software or determining whether a proposed system will meet its performance objectives, taking an architectural approach can make it possible to achieve performance objectives more quickly and at a lower cost. This paper describes PASA, a method for performance assessment of software architectures. It was developed from our experience in conducting performance assessments of software architectures in a variety of application domains including web-based systems, financial applications, and real-time systems. PASA uses the principles and techniques of software performance engineering (SPE) to determine whether an architecture is capable of supporting its performance objectives. The method may be applied to new development to uncover potential problems when they are easier and less expensive to fix. It may also be used when upgrading legacy systems to decide whether to continue to commit resources to the current architecture or migrate to a new one. The method is illustrated with an example drawn from an actual assessment. Lloyd G. Williams Software Engineering Research 264 Ridgeview Lane Boulder, Colorado 80302 (303) 938-9847 [email protected] Connie U. Smith Performance Engineering Services PO Box 2640 Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87504-2640 (505) 988-3811 http://www.perfeng.com/ Copyright © 2002, Software Engineering Research and Performance Engineering Services. All rights reserved.