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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Innovation Design Thinking |  UX Research Usability Testing |  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. | For complex user problems with an uncertain cause, the method connects observation, interpretation, and experiment into a learning cycle. It keeps the focus on real needs and avoids premature solution language. This produces robust decisions for product and service. | When a product is built but people get stuck on tasks, usability testing shows the friction at concrete points. Observed use instead of self-report makes visible where orientation, understanding, or interaction breaks down. | 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 | Low | High | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen | 1-2 h je Session | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 4-10 | Based on research question | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings | Usability Issues, Severity List, Recommendations | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | InnovationPrototypeResearch | ValidationUXPrototype | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |