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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture Quality Attribute Workshop |  Decision Making DACI |  Architecture Software Architecture 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. | A Quality Attribute Workshop translates quality requirements into concrete scenarios and architecture impulses. The method brings product, engineering, and operations to the same view of desired properties. | In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 2-4 h | 30-60 min | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 5-15 | 2-10 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Quality Scenarios, Priority List, Architecture Concerns | DACI Matrix, Decision Owner, Decision Log | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | RequirementsArchitectureWorkshop | DecisionRolesGovernanceAlignment | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |