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Criterion
Paper illustration for Change Analysis.
Operations
Change Analysis
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for Eat the Frog
Operations
Eat the Frog
Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
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.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 method protects energy and attention for the task that creates the largest progress and is often postponed.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
MediumHighLowHigh
Timedifferent
45-120 minSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope15-90 min dailyPreparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope
Participantsdifferent
2-6Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders1Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Change Matrix, Cause Hypotheses, Validation Questions, Action ListPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsPriority Task, Completion Note, Daily FocusDomain 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
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
PrioritizationProductivityFocusExecution
ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality
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