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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)C4 ModelLASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)Architecture Communication Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Architecture C4 Model |  Architecture LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews) |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 C4 Model makes a system legible across several resolution levels, from context down to code. It suits situations where different audiences need to understand the same architecture from different altitudes. | 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. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-4 h | 3–4 h for initial assessment; preparation and deeper analysis additional | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 1-5 | 1 or a small team; particularly suitable for 3–4 people | 2-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | 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 | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | 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 | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tags1 shared | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | ArchitectureQualityRiskAssessmentLean | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |