View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Business Strategy Ansoff Matrix |  Business Strategy SWOT Analysis |  Business Strategy GAP Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | The Ansoff Matrix organizes growth options by market and product relation. It helps weigh expansion, diversification, and adaptation cleanly against each other. | 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. | GAP Analysis compares the current state with a target picture and makes the distance manageable. It becomes useful when, ahead of new initiatives, it must become clear which capabilities, processes, or resources are missing. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 45-90 min | 30-60 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 2-8 | 3-12 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Ansoff Matrix, Growth Options, Risk Notes | SWOT matrix, Strategic options, Action list | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | GrowthStrategyMarketPortfolio | StrategyAnalysisMarketPositioning | StrategyAnalysisPlanning |