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Selected:Expectation MappingATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Trade-off AnalysisDecision Framing Workshop
| Criterion | ![]() Facilitation Expectation Mapping | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() Decision Making Trade-off Analysis | ![]() Decision Making Decision Framing Workshop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge. | 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. | With limited resources, quality, speed, cost, and risk almost always compete with each other. Trade-off Analysis makes these tensions explicit and prevents decisions from producing hidden side effects. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 45-120 min | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 2-8 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Expectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Trade-off Matrix, Criteria List, Decision Rationale, Accepted Downsides | Decision Frame, Decision Question, Criteria List, Evidence Plan |
Tagsno overlap | AlignmentStakeholdersTeam | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | TradeoffsDecisionCriteriaOptions | Decision framingAlignmentCriteriaOptions |



