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Selected:Architecture Communication CanvasSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Value Chain AnalysisAlignment Mapping
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Business Strategy Value Chain Analysis |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. | 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. | Value Chain Analysis shows where value is created, costs accrue, and differentiation becomes possible along the process. It compares strengths, risks, market logic, and courses of action. The result is captured as a value-chain map and lever list. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | Half day | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 3-8 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan | 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 | Value Chain Map, Lever List | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | StrategyBusiness modelDiagnosisAnalysis | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |