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Criterion
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration of System Dynamics Simulation with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
System Dynamics Simulation
Causal Loop Diagram workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Causal Loop Diagram
Stock and Flow Diagram method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Stock and Flow Diagram
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.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.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.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.
Complexitydifferent
HighHighMediumHigh
Timedifferent
Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scopeMehrere Tage bis Wochen1-3 h2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders1-5 Modellierende, Stakeholder asynchron2-81-6
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncAsyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsSimulation Model, Scenario ReportsCausal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage PointsStock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation Hypotheses
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
Systems thinkingDynamicsSimulationAnalysis
FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics
DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking
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