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| Criterion |  Decision Making Pareto Analysis |  Decision Making Decision Matrix |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Product Strategy ICE Scoring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | In many problem situations, effect is distributed unequally across many causes. A Pareto Analysis separates the few drivers with high leverage from the long remainder and focuses attention on what measurably moves the needle. | 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. | 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. | When ideas need sorting quickly, it condenses impact, confidence, and effort into one compact score. It connects customer value, product logic, and decision priorities. The result is captured as an ICE table and top-ideas list. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-60 min | 45-90 min | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-6 | 2-8 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 2-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Pareto Chart, Top Causes, Focus List | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option | 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 | ICE Table, Top Idea List |
Tagsno overlap | PrioritizationQualityFocusRoot cause | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | PrioritizationScoringGrowthDecision |