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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Facilitation Mind Mapping |  Architecture C4 Model |  Innovation Brainwriting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 topic is still unclear and too many thoughts surface at once, Mind Mapping creates an open surface for ordering them. It makes connections, subtopics, and starting points visible without fixing them too early. | The C4 Model makes a system legible across several resolution levels, from context down to code. It suits situations where different audiences need to understand the same architecture from different altitudes. | When loud voices or hierarchy distort the idea search, the method creates a quiet entry into joint development. It gives everyone thinking space and gathers contributions without social brakes, making diversity more visible and easier to build on. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 15-45 min | 1-4 h | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 1-10 | 1-5 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Mind Map, Topic Clusters, Open Questions | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Idea sheets, Expanded concepts, Prioritized list |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | BrainstormingIdeasMappingStructureFacilitation | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | BrainstormingCollaborationInclusionIdeas |