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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Operations Runbook |  Facilitation Consensus Workshop |  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. | For recurring operational tasks or incidents, the method keeps solid action logic ready. It reduces uncertainty when time pressure, role changes, or rare situations demand fast access. | When a group needs a solid decision without outvoting individual factions, a Consensus Workshop creates a negotiable common ground. It makes agreement, reservations, and open tensions discussable at the same time. | 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 | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 20-60 min | 1-3 h | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 1-4 | 5-30 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Runbook, Checklist, Escalation Path | Consensus Clusters, Theme Titles, Priority Areas | Architecture Canvas, Goals, Constraints, Quality Attributes |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | OperationsReliabilityDocumentation | FacilitationConsensusWorkshopAlignment | CanvasArchitectureAlignmentWorkshop |