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Selected:Three-Point EstimationATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Delphi MethodAlignment Mapping
| Criterion | ![]() Decision Making Three-Point Estimation | ![]() Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) | ![]() Decision Making Delphi Method | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | A single estimate for effort, time, or risk often looks too smooth for the real uncertainty behind it. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Three-Point Estimate, Risk Range, and Assumption Notes. | 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. | When knowledge is distributed and direct dominance should be avoided, groups quickly fall under the sway of their opinion leaders. The Delphi Method gathers assessments iteratively and gradually brings expert judgments closer together. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 10-30 min je Item | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 1-4 Wochen | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 6-30 Experten | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Three-Point Estimate, Risk Range, Assumption Notes | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Expert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption Notes | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | EstimationUncertaintyForecasting | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |



