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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  UX Research Customer Journey Mapping |  Operations RACI Matrix |  UX Design Customer Journey 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. | When a user journey falls apart across many touchpoints, customer journey mapping makes the experience visible as a coherent arc. Phases, emotions, and breaks become legible enough to prioritize critical moments deliberately. | With unclear responsibilities across several roles or areas, the method creates unambiguous accountability logic. It reduces friction because decision, execution, contribution, and information become separately visible. | When a journey needs to be understood across several phases, it arranges experience, touchpoints, and opportunities into one picture. It makes gaps and friction along the user path clear. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 2-4 h | 45-90 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 4-10 | 2-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Journey Map, Pain-point List, Opportunity Backlog | RACI Matrix, Responsibility Map, Decision Notes | Customer Journey Canvas, Pain Points, Experience Opportunities |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | JourneyServiceService design | RolesResponsibilityGovernanceOperations | JourneyCustomerService designCanvas |