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Criterion
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
A paper-based illustration representing Brainstorming with its core stages and visible working result.
Innovation
Brainstorming
Paper illustration of Design Charrette with its method-specific working model.
Innovation
Design Charrette
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.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 a team faces an open question with many obvious directions, the method first creates breadth instead of premature commitment. It separates idea flow from evaluation and makes lines of thought visible, creating a pool for selection and further development.In a tightly timed design process with many participants, the method pools several lines of thinking in a short time. It brings parallel design energy without letting the discussion tip into endless coordination. This quickly produces solid directions for architecture or space.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighLowMedium
Timedifferent
15-45 minSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope30-60 minHalber Tag bis mehrere Tage
Participantsdifferent
1-3Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders4-1210-50
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationalePrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsIdea pool, Theme clusters, ShortlistSketches and Concepts, Consolidated Solution Sketch, Prioritized Direction
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
BrainstormingIdeationCreativityWorkshopDivergence
BrainstormingWorkshopCollaborationIdeation
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