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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 of a Concept Map with concepts and labelled links
Knowledge Modeling
Concept 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.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.Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumMedium
Timedifferent
15-45 min45-120 min1-2 h
Participantsdifferent
1-32-61-8
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleChange Matrix, Cause Hypotheses, Validation Questions, Action ListConcept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
ChangeRoot causeTroubleshootingComparison
KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking
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Often compared together

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

Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
Architecture
SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
Paper illustration for Argument Mapping
Decision Making
Argument Mapping
Paper illustration of an IBIS map with issues, positions and arguments
Knowledge Modeling
IBIS