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| Criterion | ![]() Innovation Crazy 8s | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With only a few minutes available and a still-fuzzy solution search, the method forces a wide range of variants. It produces fast sketches before the first idea can settle in, making different directions directly comparable and open to further development. | 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 Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 8-15 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-10 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Sketch Set, Idea Shortlist, Direction Options | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | BrainstormingSketchingSpeedDivergenceDesign sprint | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |
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