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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
Paper illustration for Cynefin Workshop.
Decision Making
Cynefin Workshop
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
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 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.An RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale.arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumMediumLow
Timedifferent
15-45 min60-180 min1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung1-2 Tage
Participantsdifferent
1-34-203-20 Reviewer1-4
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshopAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleCynefin Map, Domain-specific Actions, Sensemaking NotesRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsArchitecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
ComplexitySensemakingDecision
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
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