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| Criterion |  Operations DMAIC |  Architecture C4 Model |  Knowledge Modeling Knowledge Mapping |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a process problem with fluctuating performance, the method brings analysis and improvement into a disciplined sequence. It creates a framework in which numbers, causes, and control come together. | The C4 Model makes a system legible across several resolution levels, from context down to code. It suits situations where different audiences need to understand the same architecture from different altitudes. | Knowledge Mapping makes knowledge, gaps, and transfer paths visible across a field. It fits when expertise should not just exist but also be findable and transferable. | 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 | High | Low | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 2-12 Wochen | 1-4 h | 1-3 h | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-5 | 3-12 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Project Charter, Measurement Plan, Cause Analysis, Control Plan | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Knowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer Plan | 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 | Continuous improvementQualityProcess improvement | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | KnowledgeMappingRisk | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders |