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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Decision Making Decision Matrix |  Decision Making DACI |  Decision Making Trade-off Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic. | 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. | With limited resources, quality, speed, cost, and risk almost always compete with each other. Trade-off Analysis makes these tensions explicit and prevents decisions from producing hidden side effects. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 45-90 min | 30-60 min | 45-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 2-8 | 2-10 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option | DACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision Log | Trade-off Matrix, Criteria List, Decision Rationale, Accepted Downsides |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs | DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment | TradeoffsDecisionCriteriaOptions |