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Selected:Architecture Decision RecordConcept MappingATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Views and Beyond
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Knowledge Modeling Concept Mapping |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Architecture Views and Beyond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly. | 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. | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-2 h | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 1-3 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 1-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture |