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Selected:Option FramingArchitecture Decision RecordForce Field AnalysisSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
| Criterion |  Decision Making Option Framing |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Decision Making Force Field Analysis |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | In early decisions, alternatives are often still vague, incomplete, or blended together. Option Framing brings every possibility into a comparable form and makes visible which variant actually fits the question. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 45-120 min | 15-45 min | 45-90 min | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 1-3 | 3-12 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Option Frames, Assumption Notes, Comparable Shortlist, Decision Inputs | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Force Field Map, Change Levers, Risk Notes | 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 |
Tagsno overlap | OptionsDecision framingStrategyComparison | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ChangeDecisionStrategy | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality |