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Selected:Risk MatrixSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Value Chain AnalysisForce Field Analysis
| Criterion | ![]() Decision Making Risk Matrix | ![]() Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) | ![]() Business Strategy Value Chain Analysis | ![]() Decision Making Force Field Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Value Chain Analysis shows where value is created, costs accrue, and differentiation becomes possible along the process. It compares strengths, risks, market logic, and courses of action. The result is captured as a value-chain map and lever list. | In change initiatives, supporting and restraining forces sit at the table at the same time. Force Field Analysis makes these tensions explicit and shows where change can be pushed forward by strengthening or relieving. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-60 min | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | Half day | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 3-8 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
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 | Value Chain Map, Lever List | Force Field Map, Change Levers, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | RiskDecisionPrioritizationAssessment | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | StrategyBusiness modelDiagnosisAnalysis | ChangeDecisionStrategy |



