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| Criterion | ![]() Domain Modeling Context Map | ![]() Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) | ![]() Business Strategy VRIO Framework | ![]() Business Strategy Value Chain 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. | The VRIO Framework rates resources and capabilities on whether they are Valuable, Rare, Inimitable, and Organized. It compares strengths, risks, market logic, and courses of action. The result is captured as a VRIO table and strategic actions. | Value Chain Analysis shows where value is created, costs accrue, and differentiation becomes possible along the process. It compares strengths, risks, market logic, and courses of action. The result is captured as a value-chain map and lever list. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 90-180 min | Half day |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 3-6 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Map, Integration Patterns, Boundary Notes | 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 | VRIO Table, Strategic Actions | Value Chain Map, Lever List |
Tagsno overlap | Domain-Driven DesignBoundariesStrategy | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | StrategyDiagnosisBusiness modelCapability | StrategyBusiness modelDiagnosisAnalysis |



