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Selected:Affinity DiagrammingArchitecture Decision RecordRAID LogATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
| Criterion |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Delivery RAID Log |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 45–90 min | 15-45 min | 30 min Setup, dann laufend | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-3 | 1-3 maintaining, briefing for everyone | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | RAID Log, Status Report Source | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations |
Tagsno overlap | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | RiskTrackingStakeholdersGovernance | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders |