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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Systems Mapping arranges elements, relationships, and boundaries so a complex field becomes legible at a glance. The overview stabilizes the overall picture before detail work or steering begins. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 15-45 min | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 1-3 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | 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 |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality |
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