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| Criterion | ![]() Operations Scatter Diagram | ![]() Operations Change Analysis | ![]() Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) | ![]() Architecture C4 Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When the question is whether two measures are related, the method makes patterns in the data picture visible. It separates felt correlations from relationships that actually show up in the data. | For a deviation after a change, the method isolates the influence of the altered condition. It narrows down which differences are relevant and which are just accompanying noise. | 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. | The C4 Model makes a system legible across several resolution levels, from context down to code. It suits situations where different audiences need to understand the same architecture from different altitudes. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 45-120 min | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 2-6 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 1-5 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Scatter Plot, Korrelationsnotiz, Hypothesenliste | Change Matrix, Cause Hypotheses, Validation Questions, Action List | 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 | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeQualityVisualization | ChangeRoot causeTroubleshootingComparison | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization |



