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Selected:Systems MappingViews and BeyondSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Architecture Decision Record
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Architecture Views and Beyond |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-3 Tage | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 15-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 1-4 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 1-3 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, 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 | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance |