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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Evaporating CloudForce Field AnalysisFuture Reality Tree
| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud |  Decision Making Force Field Analysis |  Systems Thinking Future 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. | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. | 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. | A Future Reality Tree shows how desired actions are meant to lead to a better system state. The method checks whether a path of change holds together logically before time flows into implementation. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 60-120 min | 45-90 min | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 2-8 | 3-12 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | 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 | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments | Force Field Map, Change Levers, Risk Notes | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking | ChangeDecisionStrategy | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange |