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Selected:Architecture Decision Record5-Minuten VC-CheckSoftware Architecture CanvasArchitecture Inception Canvas
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Business Strategy 5-Minuten VC-Check |  Architecture Software Architecture Canvas |  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. | The 5-Minute VC Check clarifies opportunities and strategic options at the earliest idea stage. It compares problem quality, customer willingness to pay, alternatives, differentiation, and market potential, and captures the result as a VC-check note, go/sharpen/park decision, and risk list. | The Software Architecture Canvas reduces a system to the most important architecture decisions, constraints, and interfaces. It is useful when teams need a resilient overall picture quickly. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 5-15 min | 1-2 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 1-5 | 3-10 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | VC-check note, Go/sharpen/park decision, Risk and assumption list, Next validation step | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Inception Canvas, Risks, Goal List, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | StartupValidationCompetition | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | AlignmentArchitectureCanvas |