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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Knowledge Modeling Concept Mapping |  Knowledge Modeling IBIS |  Decision Making Cynefin Workshop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | IBIS structures thinking about complex questions as a sequence of issues, ideas, and arguments. The method keeps discussions open without forcing them into premature consensus. | When problems are unclear, chaotic, or only seemingly familiar, standard recipes fall short. A Cynefin Workshop sorts situations by the nature of their problem and connects them with matching action logic. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-2 h | 1-3 h | 60-180 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 1-8 | 2-8 | 4-20 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps | Issue Map, Positions, Argument Notes | Cynefin Map, Domain-specific Actions, Sensemaking Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking | RationaleKnowledgeDecision | ComplexitySensemakingDecision |