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Criterion
Paper illustration of Strategy Map with its method-specific working model.
Business Strategy
Strategy Map
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
A 5 Whys working surface connects an observable problem with evidenced causes, marked uncertainty and concrete countermeasures with ownership.
Operations
5 Whys
Purposedifferent
A Strategy Map translates strategy into a few connected objectives across perspectives such as finance, customers, processes, and learning. This makes visible which capabilities and activities are meant to drive which results.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.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.
Complexitydifferent
MediumHighLow
Timedifferent
2-4 h workshop plus reviewSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope15-30 min
Participantsdifferent
4-10Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders2-6
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Strategy Map, Objective Set, Cause-Effect HypothesesPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsRoot cause notes, Countermeasures
Tagsno overlap
AlignmentExecutionGoalsCausality
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Four paper stations connect system purpose, quality goals, risk cards and focused investigation with a target and gap profile.
Architecture
LASR (Lightweight Approach for Software Reviews)
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D Problem Solving
Paper illustration for Causal Factor Analysis.
Operations
Causal Factor Analysis