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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Growth A/B Testing |  Product Discovery Smoke Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Soft Systems Methodology helps explore unclear or politically charged problems systematically. Instead of forcing a quick answer, the method builds a shared understanding of perspectives and room for action. | 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. | When two variants compete, discussions quickly decide by taste rather than effect. A/B Testing checks behavior under controlled conditions and separates real improvement from chance or expectation effects. | When demand only needs to be roughly verified, it tests interest with minimal effort. It measures whether people would take a next step at all. |
Complexitydifferent | High | High | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 1-4 Wochen | 1-5 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 1-6 | Nutzertraffic |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Experiment results, Decision log, Learning summary | Interest Metrics, Conversion Signal, Learning Note |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ExperimentsGrowthAnalyticsValidation | ValidationExperimentsDemandGrowth |