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Selected:Assumption SurfacingATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Value Chain AnalysisBusiness Model Stress Test
| Criterion |  Decision Making Assumption Surfacing |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Business Strategy Value Chain Analysis |  Business Strategy Business Model Stress Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it. | 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. | 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. | A Business Model Stress Test checks how well a business model holds up under pressure and headwinds. It compares strengths, risks, market logic, and courses of action. The result is captured as a stress-test report and action plan per scenario. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | High | High |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | Half day | Half day |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-8 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Assumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning Plan | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Value Chain Map, Lever List | Stress Test Report, Action Plan per Scenario |
Tagsno overlap | AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | StrategyBusiness modelDiagnosisAnalysis | StrategyBusiness modelRiskDiagnosis |