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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Decision Making Option Framing |  Decision Making Force Field Analysis |  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. | In early decisions, alternatives are often still vague, incomplete, or blended together. Option Framing brings every possibility into a comparable form and makes visible which variant actually fits the question. | In change initiatives, supporting and restraining forces sit at the table at the same time. Force Field Analysis makes these tensions explicit and shows where change can be pushed forward by strengthening or relieving. | 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 | 45-120 min | 45-90 min | 1-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 3-8 | 3-12 | 1-4 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Option Frames, Assumption Notes, Comparable Shortlist, Decision Inputs | Force Field Map, Change Levers, Risk Notes | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | OptionsDecision framingStrategyComparison | ChangeDecisionStrategy | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication |