tradeoff-analysis

name	tradeoff-analysis
description	Make engineering tradeoffs explicit before choosing an implementation. Use when multiple viable approaches exist or when simplicity, maintainability, performance, reliability, compatibility, security, and delivery speed conflict. Chooses the least-worst option with rationale.

Tradeoff Analysis

Use this skill when there is no single obviously best approach.

Workflow

1. State the decision to make.
2. List forces: correctness, simplicity, maintainability, performance, reliability, scalability, security, compatibility, cost, delivery speed, and operability.
3. Identify two or three realistic options.
4. Compare each option against the forces and project constraints.
5. Choose the least-worst option for the current context.
6. Record why rejected options were not chosen when the decision matters.
7. Keep the implementation aligned with the chosen tradeoff.

Output shape

• Decision:
• Constraints:
• Options:
• Chosen approach:
• Why:
• Risks:
• Verification:

Avoid

• Generic best-practice claims without project context.
• Optimizing for future scale without evidence.
• Choosing complexity because it feels more professional.