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Selected:Polarity MappingAcceptance Criteria WorkshopSpecification by ExampleATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Polarity Mapping |  Agile Acceptance Criteria Workshop |  Agile Specification by Example |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Polarity Mapping makes tensions between two opposing poles tangible, such as standardization and adaptation or control and autonomy. The method guards against making apparent either-or decisions prematurely. | When a story needs clear checkpoints before implementation, it sharpens expectation and scope together. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as Acceptance Criteria and a Story Update. | When business rules need to become precise, it ties language, example, and test together. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as an Example Table and Acceptance Tests. | 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 | 1-2 h | 20-40 min pro Story | 60-90 min pro Feature | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 3-6 | 3-6 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance Actions | Acceptance Criteria, Story Update | Example Table, Acceptance Tests | 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 | Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership | AgileRequirementsRefinementBehavior-Driven Development | AgileRequirementsExamplesBehavior-Driven Development | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders |