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 |  Architecture Architecture Inception Canvas |  Architecture Views and Beyond |  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 Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. | Views and Beyond organizes architecture into several views so no single diagram has to do everything at once. This makes it possible to choose the representation that fits the stakeholder's question. | 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 | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-2 h | 1-3 Tage | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 3-8 | 1-4 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions | Architecture Views, Cross-view Notes, Rationale | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas | DocumentationStakeholdersArchitecture | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |