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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() Domain Modeling Domain Context Map | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping | ![]() Domain Modeling Context Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | When a domain model and its associated contexts need to be thought through together, it creates a shared overview. It connects the business view and organizational boundary into a readable whole. | 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. | When several contexts need to talk to each other, it makes their relationships and dependencies legible. It helps sort integration pressure and responsibilities across system boundaries. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 1-3 h | 1-2 h | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-10 | 4-12 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | 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 | Domain Context Map, Boundary Notes, Ownership Map | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | Context Map, Integration Patterns, Boundary Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | Domain-Driven DesignContextBoundaries | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | Domain-Driven DesignBoundariesStrategy |



