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Selected:Causal Loop DiagramATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Architecture Inception CanvasStock and Flow Diagram
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Systems Thinking Stock and Flow Diagram |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | 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 | Medium | High | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 1-2 h | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-8 | 1-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Stock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation Hypotheses |
Tagsno overlap | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking |