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Criterion
Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
Architecture
SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
Iceberg Model method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Iceberg Model
Paper illustration of System Dynamics Simulation with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
System Dynamics Simulation
Stock and Flow Diagram method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Stock and Flow Diagram
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 Iceberg Model separates visible events from patterns, structures, and mental models. This turns a single observation into a deeper understanding of why a problem keeps recurring.System Dynamics Simulation makes assumptions about time, delay, and feedback testable through experiments. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a simulation model and scenario reports.A Stock and Flow Diagram shows how stocks, inflows, and outflows shape a system over time. It is especially suited when growth, delays, or capacity limits determine the dynamics.
Complexitydifferent
HighLowHighHigh
Timedifferent
Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope30-60 minMehrere Tage bis Wochen2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting2-101-5 Modellierende, Stakeholder asynchron1-6
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncAsyncWorkshop + 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 alternativesIceberg Worksheet, Pattern Notes, Intervention IdeasSimulation Model, Scenario ReportsStock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation Hypotheses
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality
Systems thinkingRoot causePatterns
Systems thinkingDynamicsSimulationAnalysis
DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking
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