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Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
Selected:Architecture Decision RecordCustomer Journey MappingSoftware Architecture CanvasArchitecture Communication Canvas
| Criterion | ![]() Architecture Architecture Decision Record | ![]() UX Research Customer Journey Mapping | ![]() Architecture Software Architecture Canvas | ![]() Architecture Architecture Communication 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. | 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 Communication Canvas plans architecture communication so the right people receive the right message. The method turns technical complexity into deliberate communication design. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 2-4 h | 1-2 h | 60-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 4-10 | 3-10 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Journey Map, Pain-point List, Opportunity Backlog | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes | Communication Canvas, Stakeholder Messages, Architecture Communication Plan |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | JourneyServiceService design | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop | ArchitectureCommunicationStakeholdersCanvas |



