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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 for Change Analysis.
Operations
Change Analysis
Paper illustration for Communication Plan
Delivery
Communication Plan
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
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.For a deviation after a change, the method isolates the influence of the altered condition. It narrows down which differences are relevant and which are just accompanying noise.When many people need to be informed in parallel and messages would otherwise arrive unevenly or too late, a Communication Plan orders communication reliably. Channels, audiences, and cadences interlock so important information doesn't get lost.arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowLow
Timedifferent
15-45 min45-120 min45-90 min1-2 Tage
Participantsdifferent
1-32-62-61-4
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleChange Matrix, Cause Hypotheses, Validation Questions, Action ListCommunication Plan, Channel Matrix, Message CadenceArchitecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
ChangeRoot causeTroubleshootingComparison
CommunicationStakeholdersDeliveryPlanning
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
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