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Criterion
Iceberg Model method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Iceberg Model
Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
Architecture
SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for Behavior Over Time Graph.
Systems Thinking
Behavior Over Time Graph
Purposedifferent
The Iceberg Model separates visible events from patterns, structures, and mental models. This turns a single observation into a deeper understanding of why a problem keeps recurring.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.A Behavior Over Time Graph shows how a metric or observation develops over time. The method makes trends, breaks, and recurring patterns visible that get lost in snapshots.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighLow
Timedifferent
30-60 minPreparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope20-45 min
Participantsdifferent
2-10Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting1-10
Formatsame
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Iceberg Worksheet, Pattern Notes, Intervention IdeasDomain functions mapped to components and connections, Quality attributes and evaluation criteria, Typical tasks and their effects on the architecture, Reasoned evaluation or comparison of alternativesBehavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key Events
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingRoot causePatterns
ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality
Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for Change Analysis.
Operations
Change Analysis
Paper illustration of System Archetypes with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
System Archetypes
Paper illustration of System Dynamics Simulation with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
System Dynamics Simulation
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D Problem Solving