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Criterion
Software Architecture Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Software Architecture Canvas
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for Knowledge Mapping.
Knowledge Modeling
Knowledge Mapping
Paper illustration for Risk Storming.
Architecture
Risk Storming
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.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.Knowledge Mapping makes knowledge, gaps, and transfer paths visible across a field. It fits when expertise should not just exist but also be findable and transferable.Helps clarify architecture context, options, and consequences in concrete terms. It organizes technical context, alternatives, and consequences. The result is captured as an Annotated Diagram, a Prioritized Risk List, and an Action Backlog.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighMediumLow
Timedifferent
1-2 hSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope1-3 h60-90 min
Participantsdifferent
3-10Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders3-124-12
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality AttributesPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsKnowledge Map, Critical Knowledge Areas, Transfer PlanAnnotated Diagram, Prioritized Risk List, Action Backlog
Tagsno overlap
CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
KnowledgeMappingRisk
RiskArchitectureWorkshopValidation
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