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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
Context Map workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Domain Modeling
Context Map
Paper illustration for DACI
Decision Making
DACI
Paper illustration for Alignment Mapping.
Facilitation
Alignment 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.When several contexts need to talk to each other, it makes their relationships and dependencies legible. It helps sort integration pressure and responsibilities across system boundaries.In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated.When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
15-45 min1-3 h30-60 min1-2 h
Participantsdifferent
1-32-82-104-12
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleContext Map, Integration Patterns, Boundary NotesDACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision LogAlignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
Domain-Driven DesignBoundariesStrategy
DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment
AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation
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