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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 of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
Paper illustration for DACI
Decision Making
DACI
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.Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it.In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated.
Complexitysame
LowLowLow
Timedifferent
15-45 min45-90 min30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
1-32-82-10
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleAssumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning PlanDACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision Log
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery
DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration of Decision Rights Mapping with its method-specific working model.
Decision Making
Decision Rights Mapping
Paper illustration for RAPID
Decision Making
RAPID
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments