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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Communication PlanArchitecture Decision RecordArchitecture Communication Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Delivery Communication Plan |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  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. | When many people need to be informed in parallel and messages would otherwise arrive unevenly or too late, a Communication Plan orders communication reliably. Channels, audiences, and cadences interlock so important information doesn't get lost. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | 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 | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 45-90 min | 15-45 min | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 2-6 | 1-3 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | 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 | Communication Plan, Channel Matrix, Message Cadence | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | CommunicationStakeholdersDeliveryPlanning | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |