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Selected:Architecture Decision RecordArchitecture Communication CanvasCounter MetricsAlignment Mapping
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |  Product Strategy Counter Metrics |  Facilitation Alignment 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. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. | When a headline metric could mask side effects, it adds guardrail signals against unwanted outcomes. It connects customer value, product logic, and decision priorities. The result is captured as a counter-metric list and guardrail definitions. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 60-120 min | 30-60 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 2-8 | 2-6 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan | Counter Metric List, Guardrail Definitions | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas | MetricsMeasurementStrategyExperiments | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |