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| Criterion |  Agile NoEstimates |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Architecture C4 Model |  Delivery Communication Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When estimating slows a team down more than it helps, it shifts the focus to flow, small slices, and real lead time. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as Throughput Data, Flow Forecast, and Slicing Rules. | 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. | 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. | When many people need to be informed in parallel and messages would otherwise arrive unevenly or too late, a Communication Plan orders communication reliably. Channels, audiences, and cadences interlock so important information doesn't get lost. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | laufend | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 1-4 h | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-12 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 1-5 | 2-6 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Throughput Data, Flow Forecast, Slicing Rules | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Communication Plan, Channel Matrix, Message Cadence |
Tagsno overlap | EstimationForecastingFlow | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | CommunicationStakeholdersDeliveryPlanning |