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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 Sailboat Retrospective
Agile
Sailboat Retrospective
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 a team wants to read momentum, brakes, and risks together, it offers an easily understandable picture of the situation. It makes drive, obstacles, and headwind visible in the same picture.
Complexitysame
LowLowLow
Timedifferent
15-45 min45–75 min45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
1-3Team members involved4-12
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement ActionsSailboat Board, Risks, Improvement Actions
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam
RetrospectiveTeamImprovement
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration of a team retrospective with three separate Start, Stop, and Continue areas and a shared action list.
Agile
Start Stop Continue
The Scrum Team inspects people, interactions, processes, tools, and the Definition of Done, then agrees on a few testable improvements.
Agile
Sprint Retrospective
Paper illustration for Starfish Retrospective
Agile
Starfish Retrospective