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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Knowledge Modeling Concept Mapping |  Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-2 h | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 1-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking |
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