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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Agile 4Ls Retrospective |  Operations After-Action Review |  Agile Mad Sad Glad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | When a sprint should not only be assessed but also learned from, it captures experience in clear learning categories. It records what worked, what's missing, and what should run differently next time. | After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement. | When a team's or workshop's mood needs to become readable, it structures emotional signals with little setup. It makes strain, relief, and sources of energy tangible. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 45–75 min | 20-45 min | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | Team members involved | 3-12 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | 4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement Actions | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary | Emotion Board, Themes, Action Items |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam | LearningOperationsImprovement | RetrospectiveTeamReflection |