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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Change AnalysisIceberg ModelCurrent Reality Tree
| Criterion | ![]() Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) | ![]() Operations Change Analysis | ![]() Systems Thinking Iceberg Model | ![]() Systems Thinking Current Reality Tree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | For a deviation after a change, the method isolates the influence of the altered condition. It narrows down which differences are relevant and which are just accompanying noise. | The Iceberg Model separates visible events from patterns, structures, and mental models. This turns a single observation into a deeper understanding of why a problem keeps recurring. | A Current Reality Tree condenses many symptoms into a few causal chains. The method makes visible which core problems drive several negative effects at once. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 45-120 min | 30-60 min | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 2-6 | 2-10 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | 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 | Change Matrix, Cause Hypotheses, Validation Questions, Action List | Iceberg Worksheet, Pattern Notes, Intervention Ideas | Current Reality Tree, Core Problems, Intervention Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ChangeRoot causeTroubleshootingComparison | Systems thinkingRoot causePatterns | Systems thinkingRoot causeConstraintsCausality |



