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| Criterion | ![]() Decision Making Option Framing | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() Decision Making Force Field Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | 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 | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 45-120 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Option Frames, Assumption Notes, Comparable Shortlist, Decision Inputs | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Force Field Map, Change Levers, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | OptionsDecision framingStrategyComparison | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ChangeDecisionStrategy |
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