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Selected:ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Usability TestingRisk StormingArchitecture Communication Canvas
| Criterion | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() UX Research Usability Testing | ![]() Architecture Risk Storming | ![]() Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 a product is built but people get stuck on tasks, usability testing shows the friction at concrete points. Observed use instead of self-report makes visible where orientation, understanding, or interaction breaks down. | 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. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 1-2 h je Session | 60-90 min | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | Based on research question | 4-12 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Usability Issues, Severity List, Recommendations | Annotated Diagram, Prioritized Risk List, Action Backlog | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ValidationUXPrototype | RiskArchitectureWorkshopValidation | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |



