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| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Knowledge Modeling Knowledge Mapping |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | Knowledge Mapping makes knowledge, gaps, and transfer paths visible across a field. It fits when expertise should not just exist but also be findable and transferable. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-3 h | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 3-12 | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | 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 | Knowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer Plan | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | KnowledgeMappingRisk | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |
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