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Criterion
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
A structured reflection surfaces what was liked, learned, lacked, and longed for. It is a conversation format and does not validate actions automatically.
Agile
4Ls Retrospective
Paper illustration for Argument Mapping
Decision Making
Argument Mapping
Paper illustration of a team retrospective with three separate Start, Stop, and Continue areas and a shared action list.
Agile
Start Stop Continue
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.When statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on.When a team wants to deliberately adjust its working behavior, it makes habits visible and assessable. It focuses on concrete changes instead of diffuse mood.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowMediumLow
Timedifferent
15-45 min45–75 min1-3 h30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
1-3Team members involved1-83-12
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement ActionsArgument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision RationaleStart Stop Continue Board, Improvement Actions
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam
SensemakingDecisionRationale
RetrospectiveImprovementTeamReflection
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