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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 Risk Storming.
Architecture
Risk Storming
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming
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.Helps clarify architecture context, options, and consequences in concrete terms. It organizes technical context, alternatives, and consequences. The result is captured as an Annotated Diagram, a Prioritized Risk List, and an Action Backlog.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.
Complexitysame
LowLowLow
Timedifferent
15-45 min60-90 min45–90 min
Participantsdifferent
1-34-123-10
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
ADR File, Decision Log, RationaleAnnotated Diagram, Prioritized Risk List, Action BacklogTheme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
RiskArchitectureWorkshopValidation
SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Empathy Mapping
UX Research
Empathy Mapping
Design sheets and interface cards connect to jointly written pseudocode with highlighted unresolved questions.
Architecture
ARID (Active Reviews for Intermediate Designs)
Paper illustration of a calm four-quadrant Assumption Map with hypothesis cards and emphasis on important assumptions with little evidence.
Product Discovery
Assumption Mapping