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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Alignment MappingStakeholder Mapping3-Circle Venn Diagram
| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |  Facilitation Stakeholder Mapping |  Facilitation 3-Circle Venn Diagram |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | When three perspectives matter at the same time, a Three-Circle Venn Diagram shows the overlaps and remainders precisely. It makes visible where shared effect arises and where only a partial perspective applies. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-2 h | 60–90 min | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 4-12 | 2-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | 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 | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes | Venn Diagram, Overlap Notes, Differentiators |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange | ComparisonFacilitationAlignment |