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Selected:Decision MatrixDecision Framing WorkshopArchitecture Inception CanvasATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
| Criterion |  Decision Making Decision Matrix |  Decision Making Decision Framing Workshop |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When several options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic. | When a decision is poorly framed, even good answers deliver little value. A Decision Framing Workshop sharpens the problem, goal, and boundaries before the actual weighing begins. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | 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 | Medium | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 60-120 min | 1-2 h | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 4-10 | 3-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option | Decision Frame, Decision Question, Criteria List, Evidence Plan | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | 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 | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs | Decision framingAlignmentCriteriaOptions | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders |