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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)A3 Problem SolvingLASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)5 Whys
| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Architecture LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews) |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. | 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. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 45-90 min | 3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 2-5 | 1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | 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 | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | 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 | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |