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| Criterion |  Facilitation Dot Estimation |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Decision Making Delphi Method |  Decision Making Wideband Delphi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When size or effort can only be estimated roughly, Dot Estimation condenses the group's experience into a quick range. It turns individual contributions into a visible selection. The result is captured as an Effort Heatmap, Risk Signals, and Discussion Targets. | 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. | When knowledge is distributed and direct dominance should be avoided, groups quickly fall under the sway of their opinion leaders. The Delphi Method gathers assessments iteratively and gradually brings expert judgments closer together. | A single opinion rarely holds up for planning when the future is genuinely uncertain. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as an Estimate Range, Assumption Log, and Expert Consensus Notes. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | High | High |
Timedifferent | 5-20 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 1-4 Wochen | 1-4 h or multiple rounds |
Participantsdifferent | 3-20 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 6-30 Experten | 4-12 Experten |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Effort Heatmap, Risk Signals, Discussion Targets | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Expert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption Notes | Estimate Range, Assumption Log, Expert Consensus Notes |
Tagsno overlap | EstimationEffortRisk | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy | EstimationExpertsForecasting |