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Selected:ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Force Field AnalysisLeverage PointsAlignment Mapping
| Criterion |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Decision Making Force Field Analysis |  Systems Thinking Leverage Points |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Leverage Points show exactly where interventions in a system produce a disproportionate effect. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a leverage map and action strategy. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 45-90 min | Half day | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-12 | 3-12 | 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 | Force Field Map, Change Levers, Risk Notes | Leverage Map, Action Strategy | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ChangeDecisionStrategy | Systems thinkingChangeStrategy | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |