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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Architecture Inception CanvasForce Field Analysis
| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Decision Making Force Field Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | 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 | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-2 h | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 3-8 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | 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 | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Force Field Map, Change Levers, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | ChangeDecisionStrategy |
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