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Selected:Architecture Inception CanvasSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Architecture Decision RecordSoftware Architecture Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 15-45 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 1-3 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | 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 | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tags1 shared | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |