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| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Decision Making Argument Mapping |  Decision Making DACI |
|---|---|---|---|
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 statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. | In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-3 h | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 1-8 | 2-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | 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 | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale | DACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision Log |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | SensemakingDecisionRationale | DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment |
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