methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Paper illustration of a yellow story card, blue rule cards, green example cards and a red question card on a light workspace.
Agile
Example Mapping
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration of Specification by Example with a method-specific labelled workspace.
Agile
Specification by Example
Architecture Communication Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Communication Canvas
Purposedifferent
When a story carries business rules and exceptions, it brings clarity before implementation. It makes examples, open questions, and boundaries visible enough that the logic becomes jointly sound.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 business rules need to become precise, it ties language, example, and test together. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as an Example Table and Acceptance Tests.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
LowHighMediumMedium
Timedifferent
30-60 minSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope60-90 min pro Feature60-120 min
Participantsdifferent
3-7Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders3-62-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Example Map, Acceptance Criteria, Open QuestionsPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsExample Table, Acceptance TestsCommunication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan
Tagsno overlap
Behavior-Driven DevelopmentRequirementsExamplesRefinement
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
AgileRequirementsExamplesBehavior-Driven Development
ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas
Add more methods