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Selected:Lean CoffeeATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Fishbowl DiscussionAlignment Mapping
| Criterion |  Facilitation Lean Coffee |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Facilitation Fishbowl Discussion |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a group without a fixed agenda needs to get into useful conversations quickly, Lean Coffee structures the start around interests rather than a presentation. The group itself negotiates which topics get time first and which wait. | 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 a controversial topic needs depth and discipline at the same time, Fishbowl Discussion makes the structure of the conversation transparent. The format keeps the core small enough for real dialogue and open enough for controlled turnover. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 45-90 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-20 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 8-80 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Prioritized Topics, Discussion Notes, Action Items | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Discussion Insights, Observed Tensions, Follow-up Questions | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | FacilitationAutonomyDialogue | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | FacilitationDialogueLarge group | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |