View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
Selected:Architecture Decision RecordAssumption MappingATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Riskiest Assumption Test
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Product Discovery Assumption Mapping |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Product Discovery Riskiest Assumption Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 assumptions still sit unordered in the room, it weighs uncertainty against leverage. It makes visible which hypotheses should be checked first. | 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. | When an idea hinges on one critical unknown, it prioritizes testing that exact piece of uncertainty first. It separates problem, assumption, solution, and evidence. The result is captured as a prioritized list of assumptions, a test plan, and a result report. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 45-60 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 1-2 Wochen pro Iteration |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 2-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Assumption map, Test backlog, Risk ranking | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Prioritized Assumption List, Test Plan, Results Report |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | AssumptionsRiskExperimentsValidation | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ExperimentsValidationDiscoveryAssumptions |