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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 of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
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.An RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale.arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowMediumLow
Timedifferent
15-45 min45–75 min1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung1-2 Tage
Participantsdifferent
1-3Team members involved3-20 Reviewer1-4
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshopAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement ActionsRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsArchitecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
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