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Selected:Architecture Decision RecordImpact MappingArchitecture Communication CanvasAlignment Mapping
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Product Strategy Impact Mapping |  Architecture Architecture Communication Canvas |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | The Architecture Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 45-90 min | 60-120 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 3-8 | 2-8 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Impact Map, Outcome Hypotheses, Delivery Options | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | OutcomesStrategyBehaviorPlanning | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |