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Selected:Systems MappingFuture Reality TreeATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)CATWOE Analysis
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Systems Thinking Future Reality Tree |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | A Future Reality Tree shows how desired actions are meant to lead to a better system state. The method checks whether a path of change holds together logically before time flows into implementation. | 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. | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 2-4 h | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 3-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Future Reality Tree, Negative Branches, Assumption List, Improved Injections | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | Theory of ConstraintsSystems thinkingChange | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders |