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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Agile 4Ls Retrospective |  Operations Learning Review |  Operations After-Action Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 a project phase with mixed results, the method makes learning from the individual case reusable. It connects events, decisions, and systemic conditions into robust insights. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 45–75 min | 1-3 h | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | Team members involved | 3-10 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | 4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement Actions | Learning Review Notes, System Factors, Improvement Actions | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam | LearningRetrospectiveIncidentOperations | LearningOperationsImprovement |