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Selected:Leverage PointsFuture Reality TreeSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Force Field Analysis
| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Leverage Points | ![]() Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree | ![]() Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) | ![]() Decision Making Force Field Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Leverage Points show exactly where interventions in a system produce a disproportionate effect. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a leverage map and action strategy. | 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. | In change initiatives, supporting and restraining forces sit at the table at the same time. Force Field Analysis makes these tensions explicit and shows where change can be pushed forward by strengthening or relieving. |
Complexitydifferent | High | High | High | Low |
Timedifferent | Half day | 2-4 h | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 3-8 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Leverage Map, Action Strategy | 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 | Force Field Map, Change Levers, Risk Notes |
Tags1 shared | Systems thinkingChangeStrategy | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ChangeDecisionStrategy |



