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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 for Open Space Technology.
Facilitation
Open Space Technology
Paper illustration for Argument Mapping
Decision Making
Argument Mapping
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
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 complex topic does not yet have a fitting agenda, Open Space Technology hands topic ownership back to the participants. The format suits questions that only move forward when real interest determines the order.When statements, evidence, and counterarguments get mixed up, a debate quickly loses its structure. Argument Mapping breaks a thesis down into its reasoning and makes visible what it really rests on.An RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighMediumMedium
Timedifferent
15-45 min0.5-2 Tage1-3 h1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung
Participantsdifferent
1-320-500+1-83-20 Reviewer
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshopWorkshop + asyncAsync
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleSession Marketplace, Proceedings, Action TopicsArgument Map, Evidence Gaps, Decision RationaleRFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or tickets
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
FacilitationLarge groupAutonomy
SensemakingDecisionRationale
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
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