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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
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Paper illustration for PDCA Cycle.
Operations
PDCA Cycle
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
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 there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions.For an improvement that still has to prove itself in everyday work, the method runs it through small learning loops. It connects planning, checking, and standardization into a repeatable learning mode.For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowLowMedium
Timedifferent
15-45 min30-120 min1 h bis mehrere Wochen45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
1-32-61-82-5
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleObservation Notes, Improvement IdeasPDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard ChangeA3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
LeanObservationProcessOperations
Continuous improvementLeanExperiments
LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations
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