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Selected:Soft Systems MethodologyATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Cynefin WorkshopArgument Mapping
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Decision Making Cynefin Workshop |  Decision Making Argument Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 problems are unclear, chaotic, or only seemingly familiar, standard recipes fall short. A Cynefin Workshop sorts situations by the nature of their problem and connects them with matching action logic. | When statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on. |
Complexitydifferent | High | High | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-3 Tage | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 60-180 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 4-20 | 1-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + 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 | Cynefin Map, Domain-specific Actions, Sensemaking Notes | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ComplexitySensemakingDecision | SensemakingDecisionRationale |