Quality Attribute Prioritization

Explanation

Quality prioritization means choosing which qualities of a system matter most and putting them in order. Examples of qualities are speed, security, or ease of change. Each one is a quality attribute (see the article Quality Attribute).

arc42 is a template for documenting architecture. It sets a clear limit: the introduction lists only the top three quality goals, and at most five. Its tips repeat the point. Describe only a few top goals, so readers keep their focus.

The goals appear as a table ordered by priority. Each goal comes with concrete scenarios. A scenario is a specific situation that shows what “good enough” means for that goal.

Lower-ranked qualities do not disappear. Section 10 of arc42 holds requirements of lesser importance. Missing them would not create high risks. The most important ones already sit in section 1.2, and section 10 refers to them.

Example

A team builds an online ticket shop. Its introduction lists three quality goals in a ranked table. First, the shop stays available during a big sale. Second, customers pay securely. Third, new payment methods are easy to add. Each row has a scenario describing a concrete situation. Smaller wishes, such as a polished admin screen, go into the quality requirements section.

Trade-offs

A short list gives focus, but it means some qualities get less attention. Teams accept this on purpose. Lower-priority qualities stay documented in section 10, so they remain visible.

Checks

The introduction lists only the top three quality goals, and no more than five.
The quality goals appear as a table ordered by priority.
Each top quality goal has at least one concrete scenario.
Lesser-importance quality requirements sit in section 10, which references the top goals from section 1.2.

Sources

1 - Introduction and Goals | arc42 Documentation — docs.arc42.org, accessed 2026-11-09
10 - Quality | arc42 Documentation — docs.arc42.org, accessed 2026-11-08