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Selected:Design ThinkingSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Stakeholder MappingAlignment Mapping
| Criterion |  Innovation Design Thinking |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Facilitation Stakeholder Mapping |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For complex user problems with an uncertain cause, the method connects observation, interpretation, and experiment into a learning cycle. It keeps the focus on real needs and avoids premature solution language. This produces robust decisions for product and service. | 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. | When an initiative depends on many people, interests, and power dynamics, Stakeholder Mapping systematically orders the environment. It shows who influences, who is affected, and where relationship management or safeguarding matters first. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | High | High | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 60–90 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 4-10 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 2-8 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings | 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 | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | InnovationPrototypeResearch | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |