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Selected:Risk MatrixSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Pareto AnalysisLASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)
| Criterion | ![]() Decision Making Risk Matrix | ![]() Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) | ![]() Decision Making Pareto Analysis | ![]() Architecture LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a project faces many possible disruptions, it quickly becomes unclear which risks deserve attention first. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Risk Matrix and a Top Risk List. | 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. | 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. | LASR helps development teams identify where their software falls short of important quality goals and which improvements to consider. A small group with existing system knowledge can make an initial assessment and investigate open questions in more detail. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-60 min | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 30-60 min | 3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 1-6 | 1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Risk Matrix, Top Risk List | 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 | Pareto Chart, Top Causes, Focus List | Lean Mission Statement describing the software’s purpose, Prioritized quality goals and evaluation criteria, Risks and estimated gaps against quality goals, More closely examined findings and open checks |
Tagsno overlap | RiskDecisionPrioritizationAssessment | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | PrioritizationQualityFocusRoot cause | ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean |



