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Criterion
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Stock and Flow Diagram method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Stock and Flow Diagram
Causal Loop Diagram workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Causal Loop Diagram
Paper illustration of System Dynamics Simulation with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
System Dynamics Simulation
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.A Stock and Flow Diagram shows how stocks, inflows, and outflows shape a system over time. It is especially suited when growth, delays, or capacity limits determine the dynamics.A Causal Loop Diagram makes feedback, reinforcement, and balance in a system legible. It uncovers side effects and self-reinforcement that stay hidden in linear explanations.System Dynamics Simulation makes assumptions about time, delay, and feedback testable through experiments. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a simulation model and scenario reports.
Complexitydifferent
HighHighMediumHigh
Timedifferent
Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope2-6 h1-3 hMehrere Tage bis Wochen
Participantsdifferent
Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders1-62-81-5 Modellierende, Stakeholder asynchron
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshopAsync
Outputdifferent
Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsStock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation HypothesesCausal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage PointsSimulation Model, Scenario Reports
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking
FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics
Systems thinkingDynamicsSimulationAnalysis
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