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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Product Discovery Opportunity Solution Tree |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Architecture arc42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 discovery keeps swinging between goals, ideas, and learning loops, it creates clear steering logic. It connects the desired outcome, opportunities, and experiments into a legible structure. | When research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-2 h Setup, laufend | 45–90 min | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 2-6 | 3-10 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Opportunity Solution Tree, Experiment Backlog, Learning Log | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | DiscoveryOutcomesExperimentsOpportunity | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |