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Criterion
Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
Architecture
SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
Paper illustration of KPI Tree with its method-specific working model.
Product Strategy
KPI Tree
Gap Analysis method illustration showing its working structure
Business Strategy
GAP Analysis
Paper illustration of Counter Metrics with its method-specific working model.
Product Strategy
Counter Metrics
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.When metrics across the organization drift apart, it arranges drivers and effects under one shared logic. It connects customer value, product logic, and decision priorities. The result is captured as a KPI tree and owner list.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.When a headline metric could mask side effects, it adds guardrail signals against unwanted outcomes. It connects customer value, product logic, and decision priorities. The result is captured as a counter-metric list and guardrail definitions.
Complexitydifferent
HighMediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope90-180 min initial, dann laufend1-3 h30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting3-82-82-6
Formatsame
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + 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 alternativesKPI Tree, Owner ListGap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk NotesCounter Metric List, Guardrail Definitions
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality
MetricsStrategyAlignmentMeasurement
StrategyAnalysisPlanning
MetricsMeasurementStrategyExperiments
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