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Selected:Architecture Decision RecordArgument MappingATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)RAID Log
| Criterion | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() Decision Making Argument Mapping | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() Delivery RAID Log |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | When statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. | ATAM helps teams weigh architecture decisions when quality goals compete. The team considers business goals, stakeholder expectations, and technical decisions together. The evaluation shows which risks need further investigation. | Helps clarify scope, sequence, and delivery flow in concrete terms. It makes work, boundaries, and order steerable. The result is captured as a RAID Log and a source for status reporting. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-3 h | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 30 min Setup, dann laufend |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 1-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 1-3 maintaining, briefing for everyone |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | RAID Log, Status Report Source |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | SensemakingDecisionRationale | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | RiskTrackingStakeholdersGovernance |



