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| Criterion |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Decision Making DACI |  Decision Making Decision Rights Mapping |  Operations RACI Matrix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated. | In organizations with many stakeholders, it often blurs who actually decides and who is merely consulted. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Decision Rights matrix and an agreement. | With unclear responsibilities across several roles or areas, the method creates unambiguous accountability logic. It reduces friction because decision, execution, contribution, and information become separately visible. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 30-60 min | 90-180 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 2-10 | 4-12 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | 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 | DACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision Log | Decision Rights Matrix, Agreement | RACI Matrix, Responsibility Map, Decision Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment | DecisionGovernanceAlignmentResponsibility | RolesResponsibilityGovernanceOperations |