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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Usability TestingATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Risk Storming
| Criterion |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  UX Research Usability Testing |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Architecture Risk Storming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 a product is built but people get stuck on tasks, usability testing shows the friction at concrete points. Observed use instead of self-report makes visible where orientation, understanding, or interaction breaks down. | 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. | Helps clarify architecture context, options, and consequences in concrete terms. It organizes technical context, alternatives, and consequences. The result is captured as an Annotated Diagram, a Prioritized Risk List, and an Action Backlog. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-2 h je Session | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 60-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | Based on research question | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
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 | Usability Issues, Severity List, Recommendations | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Annotated Diagram, Prioritized Risk List, Action Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ValidationUXPrototype | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | RiskArchitectureWorkshopValidation |