View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
Selected:Change AnalysisArchitecture Inception Canvas5 WhysSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
| Criterion |  Operations Change Analysis |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Operations 5 Whys |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a deviation after a change, the method isolates the influence of the altered condition. It narrows down which differences are relevant and which are just accompanying noise. | 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. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. | SAAM helps teams judge an architecture’s suitability for selected tasks and changes. It is particularly useful for examining modifiability and comparing architecture alternatives with clear reasoning. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 45-120 min | 1-2 h | 15-30 min | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 3-8 | 2-6 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Change Matrix, Cause Hypotheses, Validation Questions, Action List | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Domain functions mapped to components and connections, Quality attributes and evaluation criteria, Typical tasks and their effects on the architecture, Reasoned evaluation or comparison of alternatives |
Tagsno overlap | ChangeRoot causeTroubleshootingComparison | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality |