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Selected:TOWS MatrixAlignment MappingSAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Stakeholder Mapping
| Criterion |  Business Strategy TOWS Matrix |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |  Architecture SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method) |  Facilitation Stakeholder Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The TOWS Matrix connects internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats into action-oriented strategies. It goes a step further than a pure stocktaking. | 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. | 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. | When an initiative depends on many people, interests, and power dynamics, Stakeholder Mapping systematically orders the environment. It shows who influences, who is affected, and where relationship management or safeguarding matters first. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 1-2 h | Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope | 60–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-12 | Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | TOWS Matrix, Strategic Options, Priority Actions | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | 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 | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | StrategyAnalysisOptions | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange |