methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Context Map workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Domain Modeling
Context Map
Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
Architecture
SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
A 5 Whys working surface connects an observable problem with evidenced causes, marked uncertainty and concrete countermeasures with ownership.
Operations
5 Whys
Paper illustration for Change Analysis.
Operations
Change Analysis
Purposedifferent
When several contexts need to talk to each other, it makes their relationships and dependencies legible. It helps sort integration pressure and responsibilities across system boundaries.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.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.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.
Complexitydifferent
MediumHighLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-3 hPreparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope15-30 min45-120 min
Participantsdifferent
2-8Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting2-62-6
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Context Map, Integration Patterns, Boundary NotesDomain functions mapped to components and connections, Quality attributes and evaluation criteria, Typical tasks and their effects on the architecture, Reasoned evaluation or comparison of alternativesRoot cause notes, CountermeasuresChange Matrix, Cause Hypotheses, Validation Questions, Action List
Tagsno overlap
Domain-Driven DesignBoundariesStrategy
ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
ChangeRoot causeTroubleshootingComparison
Add more methods