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Selected:Soft Systems MethodologySAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Cynefin WorkshopArgument Mapping
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Soft Systems Methodology |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture 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. | 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 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 | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 60-180 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 5-15 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 4-20 | 1-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Rich Picture, Root Definitions, Conceptual Models, Change Agenda | 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 | Cynefin Map, Domain-specific Actions, Sensemaking Notes | Argument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | Soft systemsComplexitySensemakingSystems thinking | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ComplexitySensemakingDecision | SensemakingDecisionRationale |