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Selected:Architecture Decision RecordCounter MetricsGoal Question MetricArchitecture Inception Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Product Strategy Counter Metrics |  Engineering Goal Question Metric |  Architecture Architecture Inception 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 headline metric could mask side effects, it adds guardrail signals against unwanted outcomes. It connects customer value, product logic, and decision priorities. The result is captured as a counter-metric list and guardrail definitions. | Helps clarify technical problems, hypotheses, and next steps in concrete terms. It breaks a technical problem into testable parts. The result is captured as a GQM table and metric briefs. | The Architecture Inception Canvas bundles the first architecture questions into a compact decision picture. It fits when an initiative is still in motion but still needs clear guardrails. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 30-60 min | 90-180 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 2-6 | 3-6 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Counter Metric List, Guardrail Definitions | GQM Table, Metric Profiles | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | MetricsMeasurementStrategyExperiments | MetricsMeasurementEngineeringAlignment | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas |