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Selected:ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Expectation MappingSoftware Architecture CanvasRisk Storming
| Criterion | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() Facilitation Expectation Mapping | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas | ![]() Architecture Risk Storming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge. | 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. | Helps clarify architecture context, options, and consequences in concrete terms. It organizes technical context, alternatives, and consequences. The result is captured as an Annotated Diagram, a Prioritized Risk List, and an Action Backlog. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 45-90 min | 1-2 h | 60-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-12 | 3-10 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Expectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Annotated Diagram, Prioritized Risk List, Action Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | AlignmentStakeholdersTeam | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | RiskArchitectureWorkshopValidation |



