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Selected:Architecture Decision RecordConsensus WorkshopProblem Framing WorkshopSoftware Architecture Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Facilitation Consensus Workshop |  Facilitation Problem Framing Workshop |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | When a group needs a solid decision without outvoting individual factions, a Consensus Workshop creates a negotiable common ground. It makes agreement, reservations, and open tensions discussable at the same time. | When a team works on symptoms but the real question stays fuzzy, a Problem Framing Workshop sharpens the view of the right problem. It separates observation, interpretation, and target picture from each other. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-3 h | 60-120 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 5-30 | 4-10 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Consensus Clusters, Theme Titles, Priority Areas | Problem Statement, Scope Boundaries, Assumption List, Next Analysis Questions | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | FacilitationConsensusWorkshopAlignment | FacilitationAlignmentDiscovery | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |