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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)RAPIDATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)DACI
| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Decision Making RAPID |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Decision Making DACI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 complex management decisions, clarity is often missing about who recommends, who agrees, and who makes the decision. RAPID creates this assignment and stabilizes decisions across several levels. | ATAM helps teams weigh architecture decisions when quality goals compete. The team considers business goals, stakeholder expectations, and technical decisions together. The evaluation shows which risks need further investigation. | In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 45-90 min | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 3-12 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 2-10 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | 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 | RAPID Role Map, Recommendation, Decision Log | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | DACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision Log |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | DecisionRolesGovernance | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment |