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| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Decision Making Force Field Analysis |  Operations ALPEN Method |  Business Strategy GAP 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. | 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. | With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. | GAP Analysis compares the current state with a target picture and makes the distance manageable. It becomes useful when, ahead of new initiatives, it must become clear which capabilities, processes, or resources are missing. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 45-90 min | 10-20 min daily | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 3-12 | 1 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | 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 | Force Field Map, Change Levers, Risk Notes | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ChangeDecisionStrategy | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | StrategyAnalysisPlanning |