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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 of a branching impact map with a Why goal at the root, actor circles, How behavior changes and What options.
Product Strategy
Impact Mapping
Paper illustration for ALPEN Method
Operations
ALPEN Method
Gap Analysis method illustration showing its working structure
Business Strategy
GAP 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 a goal needs to be connected to several possible paths, it shows chains of impact instead of feature lists. It connects business goal, behavior change, and measures.With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time.GAP Analysis compares the current state with a target picture and makes the distance manageable. It becomes useful when, ahead of new initiatives, it must become clear which capabilities, processes, or resources are missing.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
15-45 min45-90 min10-20 min daily1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
1-33-812-8
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshopAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleImpact Map, Outcome Hypotheses, Delivery OptionsDaily Plan, Time Estimates, Review NotesGap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
OutcomesStrategyBehaviorPlanning
PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations
StrategyAnalysisPlanning
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