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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
Paper illustration for ABC Analysis
Operations
ABC Analysis
Paper illustration of a calibrated five-by-five risk matrix with response cards.
Decision Making
Risk Matrix
Paper illustration for Argument Mapping
Decision Making
Argument Mapping
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.With many similar objects of differing economic significance, the method prioritizes effort by effect. It separates what needs regular steering from what rarely needs attention.When a project faces many possible disruptions, it quickly becomes unclear which risks deserve attention first. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Risk Matrix and a Top Risk List.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowLowMedium
Timedifferent
15-45 min30-60 min30-60 min1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
1-31-53-101-8
Formatdifferent
AsyncAsyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleABC Classification, Focus Rules, Control ListRisk Matrix, Top Risk ListArgument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision Rationale
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
PrioritizationOperationsPortfolio
RiskDecisionPrioritizationAssessment
SensemakingDecisionRationale
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