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Selected:IBIS ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Knowledge Mapping Architecture Decision Record

Criterion	Knowledge Modeling IBIS	Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)	Knowledge Modeling Knowledge Mapping	Architecture Architecture Decision Record
Purposedifferent	IBIS structures thinking about complex questions as a sequence of issues, ideas, and arguments. The method keeps discussions open without forcing them into premature consensus.	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.	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.	An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable.
Complexitydifferent	Medium	High	Medium	Low
Timedifferent	1-3 h	Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope	1-3 h	15-45 min
Participantsdifferent	2-8	Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders	3-12	1-3
Formatdifferent	Workshop + async	Workshop + async	Workshop	Async
Outputdifferent	Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes	Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations	Knowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer Plan	ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale
Tagsno overlap	RationaleKnowledgeDecision	ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders	KnowledgeMappingRisk	ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance

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