View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Architecture C4 Model |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | A Future Reality Tree shows how desired actions are meant to lead to a better system state. The method checks whether a path of change holds together logically before time flows into implementation. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | High | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 1-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections | 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 | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram |
Tagsno overlap | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
