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Selected:ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Force Field AnalysisAlignment MappingMcKinsey 7S
| Criterion | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() Decision Making Force Field Analysis | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping | ![]() Business Strategy McKinsey 7S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 change initiatives, supporting and restraining forces sit at the table at the same time. Force Field Analysis makes these tensions explicit and shows where change can be pushed forward by strengthening or relieving. | 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. | McKinsey 7S checks whether Strategy, Structure, Systems, Shared Values, Skills, Style, and Staff fit together. Organizational misalignments become visible across multiple levers as a result. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 45-90 min | 1-2 h | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-12 | 4-12 | 3-12 |
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 | Force Field Map, Change Levers, Risk Notes | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | 7S Assessment, Alignment Gaps, Change Actions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ChangeDecisionStrategy | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | OrganizationStrategyAlignmentChange |



