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Criterion
Four paper collections for projects, responsibilities, resources and archives.
Knowledge Modeling
PARA Method
Paper illustration of a decision table with criteria rows, weighted ratings, and a narrowly leading alternative.
Decision Making
Decision Matrix
Architecture Inception Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Inception Canvas
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
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.When several options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic.The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails.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
MediumMediumLowHigh
Timedifferent
1-3 h Setup, laufend45-90 min1-2 hSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope
Participantsdifferent
12-83-8Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
PARA Structure, Project Notes, Knowledge ArchiveDecision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected OptionInception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open QuestionsPrioritized 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
DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs
AlignmentArchitectureCanvas
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
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