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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Delphi MethodAlignment MappingForce Field Analysis
| Criterion | ![]() Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) | ![]() Decision Making Delphi Method | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping | ![]() 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. | When knowledge is distributed and direct dominance should be avoided, groups quickly fall under the sway of their opinion leaders. The Delphi Method gathers assessments iteratively and gradually brings expert judgments closer together. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. | 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 | High | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-4 Wochen | 1-2 h | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 6-30 Experten | 4-12 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | 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 | Expert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption Notes | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | Force Field Map, Change Levers, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | ChangeDecisionStrategy |



