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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Force Field AnalysisFuture Reality TreeChange Analysis
| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Decision Making Force Field Analysis |  Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree |  Operations Change 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. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 45-90 min | 2-4 h | 45-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 3-12 | 3-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | 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 | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections | Change Matrix, Cause Hypotheses, Validation Questions, Action List |
Tags1 shared | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ChangeDecisionStrategy | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | ChangeRoot causeTroubleshootingComparison |