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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Alignment MappingLeverage PointsStakeholder Mapping
| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |  Systems Thinking Leverage Points |  Facilitation Stakeholder Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. | Leverage Points show exactly where interventions in a system produce a disproportionate effect. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a leverage map and action strategy. | When an initiative depends on many people, interests, and power dynamics, Stakeholder Mapping systematically orders the environment. It shows who influences, who is affected, and where relationship management or safeguarding matters first. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-2 h | Half day | 60–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 4-12 | 3-12 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
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 | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | Leverage Map, Action Strategy | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | Systems thinkingChangeStrategy | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange |