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Selected:Architecture Decision RecordChange AnalysisSoftware Architecture CanvasSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Operations Change Analysis |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | For a deviation after a change, the method isolates the influence of the altered condition. It narrows down which differences are relevant and which are just accompanying noise. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. | SAAM helps teams judge an architecture’s suitability for selected tasks and changes. It is particularly useful for examining modifiability and comparing architecture alternatives with clear reasoning. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 45-120 min | 1-2 h | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 2-6 | 3-10 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Change Matrix, Cause Hypotheses, Validation Questions, Action List | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Domain functions mapped to components and connections, Quality attributes and evaluation criteria, Typical tasks and their effects on the architecture, Reasoned evaluation or comparison of alternatives |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ChangeRoot causeTroubleshootingComparison | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality |