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Criterion
Visual Management workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Visual Management
Paper illustration for PERT Estimation.
Decision Making
PERT Estimation
Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for Dot Estimation.
Facilitation
Dot Estimation
Purposedifferent
With high tempo and many parallel topics, the method makes status, deviations, and priorities visible at a glance. It reduces search effort and prevents what matters from getting lost in daily work.On complex initiatives, a plain average tends to understate just how uncertain the outcome really is. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a PERT Estimate, Expected Value, and Risk 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 size or effort can only be estimated roughly, Dot Estimation condenses the group's experience into a quick range. It turns individual contributions into a visible selection. The result is captured as an Effort Heatmap, Risk Signals, and Discussion Targets.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumHighLow
Timedifferent
Ongoing15-45 minSeveral meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope5-20 min
Participantsdifferent
1-201-8Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders3-20
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Visual Board, Status Indicators, Exception CuesPERT Estimate, Expected Value, Risk NotesPrioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigationsEffort Heatmap, Risk Signals, Discussion Targets
Tagsno overlap
SignalsOperationsVisual management
EstimationUncertaintyRisk
ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders
EstimationEffortRisk
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