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Selected:ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Architecture Decision RecordLASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)Architecture Communication Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews) |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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. | LASR helps development teams identify where their software falls short of important quality goals and which improvements to consider. A small group with existing system knowledge can make an initial assessment and investigate open questions in more detail. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 15-45 min | 3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 1-3 | 1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Lean Mission Statement describing the software’s purpose, Prioritized quality goals and evaluation criteria, Risks and estimated gaps against quality goals, More closely examined findings and open checks | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tags1 shared | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |