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Criterion
Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
Architecture
SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for Ivy Lee Method
Operations
Ivy Lee Method
Paper illustration of a calibrated five-by-five risk matrix with response cards.
Decision Making
Risk Matrix
Paper illustration of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
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.With a restless workday full of too many open items, the method creates radical simplicity. It directs attention to a short sequence instead of a broad, still-open field.When a project faces many possible disruptions, it quickly becomes unclear which risks deserve attention first. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Risk Matrix and a Top Risk List.Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it.
Complexitydifferent
HighLowLowLow
Timedifferent
Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope5-10 min daily30-60 min45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting13-102-8
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncAsyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + 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 alternativesDaily Priority List, Completion NotesRisk Matrix, Top Risk ListAssumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning Plan
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality
PrioritizationProductivityExecution
RiskDecisionPrioritizationAssessment
AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery
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