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Selected:PARA MethodArchitecture Decision RecordCATWOE AnalysisATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
| Criterion |  Knowledge Modeling PARA Method |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The PARA Method organizes knowledge into Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives. It creates order when digital notes, files, and tasks no longer cleanly fit current work. | 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. | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h Setup, laufend | 15-45 min | 45-90 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | 1 | 1-3 | 3-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders |
Formatdifferent | Async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | PARA Structure, Project Notes, Knowledge Archive | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations |
Tagsno overlap | KnowledgeProductivityOrganization | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders |