methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Rich Picture workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Rich Picture
Paper illustration for Cynefin Workshop.
Decision Making
Cynefin Workshop
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for Soft Systems Methodology.
Systems Thinking
Soft Systems Methodology
Purposedifferent
A Rich Picture brings an unclear situation onto a shared drawing. It captures actors, tensions, information flows, and blind spots before the team jumps to solutions too early.When problems are unclear, chaotic, or only seemingly familiar, standard recipes fall short. A Cynefin Workshop sorts situations by the nature of their problem and connects them with matching action logic.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.Soft Systems Methodology helps explore unclear or politically charged problems systematically. Instead of forcing a quick answer, the method builds a shared understanding of perspectives and room for action.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumHighHigh
Timedifferent
30-90 min60-180 minSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope0.5-3 Tage
Participantsdifferent
2-104-20Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders5-15
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Rich Picture, Problem Framing NotesCynefin Map, Domain-specific Actions, Sensemaking NotesPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsRich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization
ComplexitySensemakingDecision
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking
Add more methods