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| Criterion | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() Facilitation Alignment Mapping | ![]() Business Strategy SWOT Analysis | ![]() Facilitation Stakeholder 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. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. | SWOT Analysis arranges strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats into a compact picture of the situation. It keeps internal capabilities and external influences separate before strategic options emerge from them. | When an initiative depends on many people, interests, and power dynamics, Stakeholder Mapping systematically orders the environment. It shows who influences, who is affected, and where relationship management or safeguarding matters first. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-2 h | 30-60 min | 60–90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 4-12 | 3-12 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions | SWOT matrix, Strategic options, Action list | Stakeholder Map, Engagement Plan, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation | StrategyAnalysisMarketPositioning | StakeholdersAlignmentFacilitationChange |



