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Criterion
Software Architecture Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Software Architecture Canvas
A 5 Whys working surface connects an observable problem with evidenced causes, marked uncertainty and concrete countermeasures with ownership.
Operations
5 Whys
Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
Architecture
SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D Problem Solving
Purposedifferent
The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly.For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description.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.For an acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowHighHigh
Timedifferent
1-2 h15-30 minPreparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope1-6 Wochen
Participantsdifferent
3-102-6Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting4-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality AttributesRoot cause notes, CountermeasuresDomain functions mapped to components and connections, Quality attributes and evaluation criteria, Typical tasks and their effects on the architecture, Reasoned evaluation or comparison of alternatives8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan
Tagsno overlap
CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality
QualityProblem solvingRoot cause
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