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Selected:Communication PlanArchitecture Decision RecordAffinity DiagrammingATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
| Criterion |  Delivery Communication Plan |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When many people need to be informed in parallel and messages would otherwise arrive unevenly or too late, a Communication Plan orders communication reliably. Channels, audiences, and cadences interlock so important information doesn't get lost. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | When research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 15-45 min | 45–90 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 1-3 | 3-10 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Communication Plan, Channel Matrix, Message Cadence | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations |
Tagsno overlap | CommunicationStakeholdersDeliveryPlanning | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders |